…members hail impactful ‘Go Beyond’ tenure

By Esther Onyegbula

Lady Captain of the Ladies Subsection of Ikoyi Golf Club 1938, Mrs. Peggy Onwu, has concluded her tenure as the 2025–2026 golfing year ended, with members applauding what they described as an impactful administration anchored on environmental sustainability, youth development and increased women’s participation in golf.

Onwu’s exit was marked with an end-of-year golf tournament tagged ‘Peggy’s Final’, held recently at the club, where members, guests and past leaders celebrated a year-long leadership driven by her ‘Go Beyond’ theme.

Speaking at the event, Onwu said her administration deliberately sought to expand the role of golf beyond recreation, focusing on meaningful engagement within the club and its surrounding communities.

“It has been another brilliant day, and we are extremely grateful. We had good weather and great company. Today marks the end of this golfing year, and it has been a year of going beyond just playing golf,” she said.

She explained that environmental sustainability and climate change awareness were major pillars of her tenure, noting that the Ladies Subsection introduced practical initiatives to reduce plastic waste around the golf course.

According to her, golfers often spend between three and four hours on the course, leading to frequent use of bottled water and plastic waste.
“To address this, we installed waste receptacles across the course to ensure cleanliness and encourage responsible disposal habits,” she said.

Beyond the club premises, Onwu said the subsection extended its environmental advocacy to neighbouring schools through climate sensitisation programmes and tree-planting exercises.

“We visited schools around us, carried out climate awareness programmes, and encouraged each child to plant and adopt a tree. The idea is that they will return in the future and be inspired by the environment they helped nurture,” she added.

Onwu also highlighted members’ capacity-building initiatives during her tenure, including enlightenment sessions on tax reforms and digital banking, aimed at improving financial literacy and promoting safe, efficient financial transactions among members.

One of the major highlights of her administration, she noted, was the successful hosting of the 50th Ladies Open tournament at Ikoyi Club 1938, which attracted golfers from 12 countries.

“It was a landmark event and a beautiful celebration of 50 years of ladies’ participation in the tournament,” she said.

On youth development, Onwu disclosed plans to sustain and expand existing programmes through the establishment of a golf training academy for girls aged between five and 18 years.

She stressed that golf plays a critical role in mental and personal development, helping young people build focus, strategic thinking, discipline and self-confidence.
“We want young girls to grow into confident individuals who can make independent decisions and compete globally. Golf is a complete developmental tool that builds both physical fitness and mental strength,” she said.

Speaking at the event, a club member, Mr. Aditya Raj, commended Onwu’s leadership, describing her as one of the most impactful Lady Captains in the club’s history.
“This tournament, celebrating Peggy’s finale, is always a special event. She has done extremely well and inspired many golfers,” he said.

Raj also underscored the importance of youth participation in golf, noting that Ikoyi Club’s central location in Lagos offers young players easy access to quality facilities and professional coaching.
Former Lady Captain, Dr. (Mrs.) Angela Adegboyega, also praised Onwu’s tenure, describing it as transformational and forward-looking.
“She encouraged members to go beyond their limits. She introduced initiatives such as inviting international professional golfers to improve members’ performance and promoted strong camaraderie among the ladies,” Adegboyega said.
She added that the installation of waste receptacles significantly reduced plastic pollution on the course and improved environmental sanitation, while also commending Onwu’s long-standing commitment to youth golf development through earlier national children’s tournaments.

Members of the club described Onwu’s exit as the close of a leadership era that strengthened sports development, environmental responsibility and community engagement, leaving a lasting legacy within the Ladies Subsection of Ikoyi Golf Club 1938.