The 2025 edition of the prestigious International Pairs Golf Tournament has officially been launched in Accra, setting the stage for what promises to be another exciting chapter in amateur golf in Ghana.

The brief but colourful ceremony which was held at the Montgomery Golf Estate in Accra on Wednesday, April 23, attracted various stakeholders in the golfing and sports communities such as club executives, sponsors, and media representatives.  

The launch also featured an afternoon golf event followed by an evening ceremony highlighting the tournament’s branding and honouring key contributors.

Speaking at the launch, Abdul-Aziz Amankwa, the brain behind the project, said he has high hopes for the future of the sport in Ghana.  He also emphasized the importance of the tournament in promoting golf as a sport accessible to all, while also highlighting Ghana’s rising status on the international golf scene. The International Pairs format, which sees amateur golfers compete in pairs for a chance to represent their country on the global stage, has been widely praised for its inclusiveness and competitive spirit.

“In the next five years I want to see this grow into a 5,000 to 10,000 strong golfing community. We are doing a lot at the junior level to try and get a lot more juniors into golf and we are hoping that their parents will also join them.”

He added; ‘The tournament has significantly boosted interest and participation in amateur golf. More clubs are now incorporating pairs tournaments into their annual calendars, and the social aspect of our events has attracted non-golfers to the sport, broadening its appeal.

Amankwa also said, a large golfing community will inspire the need for more golf courses in the country to improve the standard of the sport.

“You go to some countries and they have 100 plus golf courses, but in Ghana we have 18 to 20 courses.

Since its Ghanaian debut in 2023 under LSM CEO Abdul-Aziz Amankwa, the 27-year-old tournament has become a staple on the local circuit, known for its two-person team format where combined scores determine advancement.

Meanwhile, the qualifiers for the competition will begin on May 3 at the Tema Centre of the World Golf Club, with subsequent rounds at Accra-area courses like Celebrity Golf Club in Sakumono. The competition will then move to the Western Region for a three-course rotation before concluding in Kumasi’s Royal Golf Club on May 31. The top 30% of participants at each qualifier will progress to the National Playoff on August 2 at Achimota Golf Club, where the winning pair secures an all-expenses-paid trip to the World Finals in Sun City, South Africa.

The International Pairs tournament has, over the years, attracted thousands of amateur players, making it one of the world’s largest amateur golf competitions. Ghana’s continued participation not only puts local talent in the spotlight but also helps deepen the country’s presence on the global golfing map.