A ceremonial shot in Abuja opened the All Africa Challenge Trophy on Tuesday, 3 November. Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, performed the tee-off at the IBB International Golf and Country Club. The women playing for national teams are competing for the continental trophy. Their championship rounds are listed for 4 to 6 November.
Nigeria is hosting for the third time. Lagos staged the event in 1996 and Abuja hosted it in 2010. The return to the capital brings visiting national sides to a course where the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria is running more than one event in the same week. That makes the name on the programme worth checking.
For the Challenge Trophy itself, the organisers describe a national delegation as a captain and three players. National ladies’ teams must be affiliated to their country’s golf federation. The association also listed a supporters’ game for 3 November. Playing in that separate event does not count as representing a national team in the championship.
The programme put arrivals, accreditation and official practice on 2 November. The following day was for the opening ceremony and parade of nations. For readers looking for the competitive outcome, the dates that matter are the three championship days and the prize presentation scheduled for 6 November. The ceremonial tee-off did not determine the winner.
After that presentation comes a change of competition. The organiser lists 7 November for departures from the Challenge Trophy and arrivals for the Nigeria Ladies Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship. Play in the Open is scheduled for 8 to 10 November, with its own prizes due on the final day.
What it means for you. If you plan to follow the national teams or arrange a trip to the Abuja club, use the 4–6 November dates for the continental contest. A listing for golf at the same venue on 8 November refers to the Ladies Open. Check the organiser’s latest programme for the event you want before setting out.