Golf: Eben-Spiff, Ozoemene, Ajibola Crowned Lakowe Champions

The 2025 Lakowe Lakes Club Championship was concluded over the weekend with Peter Eben-Spiff and Prince Ajibola retaining their title in the Men and Veteran’s categories, while Pat Ozoemene dethroned absent Fatumata Coker for the Ladies’ title.

Deji Alli, the Chairman of Mixta Africa, the developer of the host club, Lakowe Lakes Golf Club, describes the occasion as an “interesting atmosphere .”

He said the golf club, in its few years of existence, has made its mark in the development of the game and has also contributed to the growth of internal tourism in the country.

“It takes a lot to keep a facility like this running, but we have been fortunate to have a dedicated team to drive the vision we have and a very supportive community,” Alli added at the closing ceremony.

The two-day Club Championship event was the culmination of the 2025 season. The event also rewarded exceptional performances in the season-long players’ ranking (Order of Merit), which placed Pat Ozoemene, David Maji and Henry Ogufere in the top three rank.

As for the Championship itself, 2024 Gentlemen winner and six-time holder, Peter Eben-Spiff, shrugged off the first-round scare from arch-rival Tunji Adebayo (76 gross), who towered above him (77 gross) with one shot going to the final round.

“I thank Tunji Adebayo for his support and appreciate the level of competitiveness he brought to the event. It spurred me to be at my best. I owe this victory to him.” 

Eben Spiff returned in the closing round to shoot 78 gross (six over par), while Adebayo could only scratch together 83 (11 over par), which was hardly enough to lay a convincing claim to the coveted title.

The lady’s champion, Ozoemene, who already had a beautiful year, now had Jumai Abdullahi standing between her and claiming her maiden Club Championship title, which didn’t come easy. 

It cost her a three-hole playoff to wrest the title off Abdullahi after both ended the 36-hole contest in a tie at 171 gross score apiece. 

Abdullahi caved in on the last playoff hole, but praised Ozoemene for being dogged and wanting it more.

Femi Olagbenro, the golf manager at Lakowe Lakes Golf Club, said that the events, apart from rewarding exceptional skills and growth through the year, also help bring members together and bond through the rounds.

“The atmosphere the event creates is one of the keys for us, and it has been growing since inception. We hope to take it a notch higher in the coming edition.”

Other winners at the event include; Abiye Amakiri and Ayodeji Abe, who won the first and second day gross, respectively. Yetunde Ojo was ladies’ net winner, while Kelvin Alonso took the trophy for the mixed singles matchplay for the year on behalf of his team. Tony Onwu and Ayomiposi Adegboye also picked the veteran and gentlemen net prizes respectively.