Nigerian Golfers Compete in Uganda Open as Part of East Africa Tour

Four Nigerian professional golfers are currently competing in the 2026 Ugandan Open at the Kampala Golf Club, marking a significant step in their East Africa journey.

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Most of the Nigerian players are idling now at home because of the state of Nigeria Professional Golf. But those players that took the chance at the SDT Qualifiers in Lakowe have had to leverage it for exposure and World ranking points.

Sunday Olapade, Solomon Ideria, Tajudeen Ajayi, and Godwin Okoko are participating as part of their campaign on the Sunshine Development Tour (SDT). Since June, they have been traveling across the region, aiming to gain valuable tournament exposure, international experience, and crucial World Ranking points.

Their presence in these tournaments is a direct result of the Sunshine Development Tour Qualifiers, which were held in partnership with Lakowe Lakes Golf Club in Lagos. This initiative has created a pathway for Nigerian professionals to compete on the SDT.

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I am very pleased with the state of my game, and especially grateful for the leadership of Olapade who has sacrificed his time and experience to show leadership out here. We are a team and my closing performance that earned me second place at the ABSA event was all due to the support and cohesion here. I believe I’m getting better and the next event will prove that.

Olapade emphasized the importance of this pathway, noting the limited competitive opportunities available to professionals within Nigeria. "Most of the Nigerian players are idling now at home because of the state of Nigeria Professional Golf," he stated. "But those players that took the chance at the SDT Qualifiers in Lakowe have had to leverage it for exposure and World ranking points."

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From Uganda we will head to Kigali for Sportsbiz Africa Golf scheduled for September 11-13 and the experience on the road will count. I cherish the experience and I must commend the spark that triggered this off at the SDT Qualifiers in Lagos.

Okoko, who recently secured a second-place finish at the ABSA Invitational, expressed gratitude for the support and leadership provided by Olapade. He believes his game is improving, attributing his success to the team's cohesion. Ideria highlighted the value of the ongoing experience as they plan to proceed to Kigali for the Sportsbiz Africa Golf event. Ajayi is eager to bring the lessons learned back to Nigeria to play in front of his home crowd and sponsors. Lakowe Lakes Golf Club is further supporting these efforts by listing its flagship event, the Lakowe Lakes Classic, on the SDT in October, aiming to provide even more opportunities for these professionals.

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I have learned a lot out here and can’t wait to play at home in front of my home crowd and my sponsors.