Nigeria’s Francis Epe has sent a strong early signal to the international field at the Sunshine Development Tour’s Lakowe Lakes Golf Classic after claiming the Nigeria Closed by five shots at Lakowe Lakes Golf Club.
Epe produced a composed three-round performance to finish the 54-hole Nigeria Closed at two-under-par 214, setting himself up as one of the home players to watch when the main international competition gets underway.
The victory came at an important moment for Nigerian professional golf, with more than 150 golfers from across Africa expected to compete in the international phase of the tournament.
Epe Completes Commanding Nigeria Closed Victory
Playing on the par-72 Lakowe Lakes course, Epe opened his campaign with a 73 before responding with an impressive 69 in the second round. He closed with a level-par 72 to finish five shots clear of his nearest challenger.
His three-round total of 214 was enough to secure the Nigeria Closed title and provide a significant boost ahead of the much bigger international event.
Epe said the victory had given him the confidence to carry his momentum into the next stage of the tournament.
“It’s a great way to start an all-important week. I look forward to continuing into the second event with this feeling with the aim to win on home soil,” he said.
The result gives the Nigerian golfer an ideal platform as he prepares to face a considerably stronger international field competing for the biggest prize purse yet offered on the Sunshine Development Tour.
Former Nigeria Number One Finishes Second
Former Nigeria number one Onche Odoh finished second after recording a three-over-par 219.
Odoh remained within five shots of Epe but could not overturn the deficit during the final round.
Kamalu Bako also produced a solid showing, finishing on 221, five over par, to secure a place among the leading players.
Several other Nigerian professionals also showed promising form during the Nigeria Closed, including Kabiru Haruna, Mike Ubi, Patrick Paul and Tajudeen Ajayi.
Their performances will be closely watched when the international field takes to the course, with the home players looking to make their mark against competitors from across the continent.
International Golf Stars Arrive for Lakowe Lakes Classic
The Nigeria Closed served as the opening act for what promises to be a much larger week of professional golf.
The Lakowe Lakes Golf Classic is making its debut on the Sunshine Development Tour calendar, with more than 150 professional golfers from more than 12 African countries expected to compete.
The tournament represents an important opportunity for Nigeria to host a major professional golf event while giving local players the chance to compete against some of the leading golfers on the African circuit.
David Ndungu, CEO of the Sunshine Development Tour’s East Africa Swing, said the response to the tournament demonstrated the growing appetite for high-level professional golf across the continent.
“For an event making its debut on the Tour calendar, the response reflects the growing appetite for quality professional golf events across Africa,” Ndungu said.
Strong African Field Set for Main Event
The international competition will feature several prominent names from the Sunshine Development Tour.
Nigeria will be represented by golfers including Godwin Okoko and Sunday Olapade, while Rwanda’s Celestine Nsazuwera, currently the tour’s number one player, will also be in action.
Other leading competitors include Zambia’s Sydney Wemba, Ghana’s Vincent Togah and Uganda’s in-form Ronald Rugumayo.
With players arriving from different parts of Africa, the tournament is expected to provide a significant test for Nigeria’s home professionals.
For Epe, the challenge will be to reproduce the consistency that earned him victory in the Nigeria Closed while adapting to a field containing several of the continent’s leading players.
$50,000 Prize Fund Raises the Stakes
The international stage brings significantly higher stakes.
A $50,000 prize purse is up for grabs, making it the largest purse offered so far on the Sunshine Development Tour.
Players will also compete for valuable world golf ranking points, adding another layer of importance to the tournament.
The overall winner will receive an additional incentive in the form of a brand-new GAC electric vehicle, which has been provided as part of the tournament’s prize package.
The combination of prize money, ranking points and the vehicle is expected to intensify competition throughout the three-day event.
Nigeria’s Home Advantage Under the Spotlight
The tournament also provides an opportunity for Nigerian golfers to demonstrate their ability against a wider African field on home soil.
Epe’s victory in the Nigeria Closed gives the country’s players an encouraging start, but the international competition will present a different level of challenge.
The presence of established players from Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia and Ghana means Nigeria’s representatives will need to maintain their concentration and consistency over the full 54 holes.
For Epe in particular, the transition from the Nigeria Closed to the international tournament will be closely followed after his five-shot victory.
A strong performance could further enhance his standing on the Sunshine Development Tour while also giving Nigerian golf an opportunity to showcase its growing pool of professional talent.
Lakowe Lakes Takes Centre Stage
The choice of Lakowe Lakes Golf Club as the venue places one of Nigeria’s leading golf facilities at the centre of an important week for African professional golf.
The tournament’s debut on the Sunshine Development Tour calendar also highlights the tour’s expanding reach beyond its established markets.
With a large international field, ranking points and the tour’s biggest purse to date, the Lakowe Lakes Golf Classic has attracted considerable attention among players and fans.
The event runs from October 2 to 4, with competitors battling across three rounds for the title and the tournament’s top rewards.
Epe’s Early Statement Sets Up Intriguing Contest
Francis Epe could hardly have asked for a better start.
His five-shot victory in the Nigeria Closed has given him confidence, momentum and valuable experience on the Lakowe Lakes course just before the main international competition begins.
But the arrival of the Sunshine Development Tour’s leading players means the challenge is about to become considerably tougher.
With $50,000 on offer, world ranking points at stake and a new GAC electric car awaiting the overall champion, the Lakowe Lakes Golf Classic promises to be one of the most significant events on the tour’s calendar so far.
For Nigerian golf, the tournament offers an opportunity to measure homegrown talent against some of Africa’s strongest professionals.
And after Epe’s emphatic opening victory, attention now turns to whether he can carry that form into the main event and challenge for another title on home soil.
