By Ilori Wonderful
Lagos set for historic qualifying event as Tour opens new pathway for West African golfers
The Sunshine Development Tour is set for an expanded second season, extending its footprint into West Africa following a successful debut campaign in East Africa last year.
For the first time, the Sunshine Tour will stage events in the West African region, with Lakowe Lakes Golf Club confirmed as a key host venue for both qualifying and tournament action.
The 2026/27 season will feature eleven events in Kenya, a return to Kigali for the SportsBiz Africa Championship, and a new West African leg, the Alpha Bravo Golf Classic, scheduled for November 18 to 21, 2026, in Lagos.
Action begins with the all-important Qualifying Schools (Q-School), offering players a pathway into the Sunshine Tour system and the opportunity to earn Official World Golf Ranking points.
Q-School (East) will be held from April 7 to 10 at Limuru Country Club, while Q-School (West) will take place from April 13 to 15 at Lakowe Lakes Golf Club.
The Lagos qualifying event will be played over 54 holes of stroke play, with a cut after 36 holes to the top 20 players and ties.
Entries are open to professionals, amateurs, and juniors, with juniors competing free of charge. Handicap limits are set at 3.0 or better for men and 5.0 or better for women, while entries close on April 6, 2026.
The West Africa Q-School is expected to attract a strong field from across Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal, marking a significant step toward creating a structured pathway for golfers in the region.
Performance at Q-School will determine ranking categories for the new season, maintaining the Tour’s merit-based qualification system. The opening event of the season will follow at Thika Sports Club in Kenya from April 19 to 21.
Tour promoter Charles Gacheru said the expansion reflects growing demand and rising standards across African golf.
“The first season showed us there is real depth of talent across the region,” Gacheru said. “Expanding into West Africa allows us to build a stronger pathway where players can compete, earn world ranking points, and progress based on performance.”
He added that the move strengthens opportunities for African golfers while maintaining a clear and competitive structure.
The expansion follows a successful inaugural season, which concluded at Karen Country Club, where Njoroge Kibugu was crowned Order of Merit winner after a dominant campaign.
Nigeria’s former No. 1 professional, Olapade Sunday, has been one of the Tour’s standout success stories from West Africa. He is currently ranked 3,418 on the world ranking system, making him the highest-ranked Nigerian golfer.
In total, 88 players from eight countries earned world ranking points during the first season, underlining the Tour’s growing impact.
With its expanded footprint and a clearer pathway, the Sunshine Development Tour is positioning itself as a key driver of professional golf development across Africa.
