Joshua John of TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club emerged overall winner of the maiden Faldo GolfView Junior Golf Championship 2026, while Lewis Ikeji Dandyson, Christy Obomanu and Josephine Benjamin won other categories at Ikeja Golf Club.

John dominated the Under-21 boys’ category at the three-day championship, which ended on Sunday, October 18, recording rounds of 72, 71 and 76 for a gross score of 219 over 54 holes.

His consistent performance earned him a place among the winners guaranteed to represent Nigeria at the Faldo Junior Golf Championship in Saudi Arabia in April 2027.

Oluwatosin Usman of Ikeja Golf Club finished second with 228 after rounds of 76, 73 and 79. He thrilled spectators on the final day with an eagle on the 18th hole, prompting club members and fans to carry him shoulder-high to the prize presentation hall.

In the Under-21 girls’ category, Christy Obomanu of SBA Golf Club, Port Harcourt, claimed the title with a gross score of 262. The 19-year-old, a third-year student of the Sports University in Delta State, finished ahead of Beatrice Onoja of Lamingo Golf Club, Jos, who returned 264.

Lewis Ikeji Dandyson of Sealord Golf Club, Port Harcourt, won the Under-16 boys’ category after producing the competition’s best final-day performance. He shot 80, 75 and 67 for a total of 222, finishing ahead of Mathew Ayi of NIPSS Golf Club, Kuru, who recorded 232.

Josephine Benjamin of IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, staged a final-day comeback to win the Under-16 girls’ title with 256. Clubmate Omowonuola Olarenwaju, who led before the final round, finished second with 260.

Sponsor of the championship, Elder Gabriel Olowo, chairman of GolfView Suites and Conference Centre, praised the players and organisers.

“I’m overwhelmed by the wonderful performance from these kids – good play, fantastic scores; most especially is the success of the championship,” he said.

Ikeja Golf Club Captain Segun Odunuga reaffirmed the club’s commitment to supporting grassroots golf development.

President of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria, Dr Lami Onayi Ahmed, also urged Nigerians to support similar initiatives, describing the partnership between Faldo and GolfView as vital to developing young talents.

“If Nigeria must get it right in golf as it is in football, basketball and other thriving sports, then it has to start with good grassroots development,” she said.