Finding hideaways in megacities could be daunting, especially in one that is bedevilled by traffic jams. In Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, the Lakowe Golf Course has an irresistible pull.
By Hannu Afere
The sun was barely up when we began to hear the impatient honking of vehicles and particular Lagos fixture – yellow buses and their conductors’ reel out, rather incoherently, what routes they were taking.
Although we had left early, my business partner and I prayed to avoid go-slow. That is the way Lagos is – even the most random occurrences, anything from traffic lights to sympathetic onlookers on the scene of an accident, could result in a major gridlock. Listening to the morning news on our favourite radio station and updating our social media handles, we killed time as our driver navigated the treacherous stretch of road from Yaba, on the Lagos Mainland, to the Third Mainland Bridge. Manchester United had lost to Villarreal via penalties, COVID-19 was still a real threat and local politics was still full of the peculiar Nigerian doses of the unexpected. The driver, consulting his Google maps, ensured we came out unscathed. By the time we arrived at our destination, the sun was already shining brightly.
It was a good day to escape. Our getaway (if you have not guessed) was Lakowe Lakes Golf and Country Estate. Located at KM 35, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, the stunning expanse of land and water was a sight to behold.
“This place,” my business partner tweeted, “is practically an oasis at the edge of the fast-moving metropolis.” I retweeted her thoughts and smiled to myself. Knowing how introverted she was, her enthusiasm had a novel feel to it. Even though I had visited once, briefly, I appreciated how, upon entering, one realises how it is much different from the realities of day-to-day Èkó living.
The first thing you will notice as your car sweeps through the gates is the greenery: well-manicured grass, and well-trimmed trees. If the atmosphere could elicit a visible joyful reaction from my business partner whose entire knowledge of golf began and ended with Tiger Woods and his extramarital scandal, the picturesque setting and tranquillity could elicit a positive reaction from anyone.
The manager, with whom I had spoken on the phone, was delighted to welcome us. On a whim, my partner had asked if her pet pooch would be allowed on the course. The manager was sad to let us know Lakowe has a strict no pets policy. Currently, however, the man was trying hard to ensure we were satisfied with everything else. “It’s built on eighty-two hectares of green,” he beamed. “Surrounded by interconnected man-made lakes that make it the first of its kind in Nigeria.” Idly, I wondered how many times he had said that to visitors.
The corporate accommodation and vacation rentals were available for booking online – we did ours at www.spcebook.com. The prices ranged from ₦86,000 per night for the studio cottage, to ₦201,500 per night for the four-bedroom apartment. It helped that we booked way ahead of time; it was either that or a weekday visit; the weekend is always busy. Strictly observing the rules of social distancing, we watched other families in sports gear come and go, while final arrangements were made for our stay.
When we were done, we walked down a sturdy bridge overlooking the famous 55-hectare Lakowe Lake. From where we stood, we could see people enjoying boat rides and folks fishing. The bridge led directly to a row of quaint houses surrounded by green and flowering plants.
Balinese inspired Cottages and Spa
From the palm trees to the colourful birds chirping nearby, the cottages looked absolutely beautiful outside! Inside, the living spaces provided facilities such as 24-hour electricity, air conditioning, mind-blowing natural vistas, tea and coffee makers, flat-screen television sets, mini-fridges and full access to complimentary services.
My only thought as we checked in, was how perfect this place was to unwind in, after a long week at work. There were specialised menus and hot water. We had a quick meal of baked beans, sausage, toast and scrambled eggs, putting our feet up and listening to Burna Boy. South of our location, was the Atlantic. The proximity to the water meant that you could sense the ocean, taste it in the air.
A short way off, the deep hue of the lake became the poetic song of light that played upon its wind-dancing ruffles. We were able to see the Obudu villas with the two-bedroom apartments and garden views; the Villa Bella— premium four bedrooms with contemporary architectural style and minimal ornamentation, as well as The Cove.
Later on, we would try our hands at golf. For ₦15,000, you could get professional lessons. For a membership, however, you would have to pay US$5,000 annually or its equivalent in Naira. A bit on the high side, but totally worth it in an 18-hole international championship golf course. Our self-appointed instructor was keen on teaching us about stances.
For the record, setting up a perfect golf stance is one of the most important pre-shot routines for any golfer. There seemed to be a lot of ‘Do nots’ flying around: do not talk during someone’s backswing; do not walk through someone else’s line (that is the line from their ball to the hole); do not hit the ball into the group ahead of you; do not get angry after every shot that is not perfect; do not play difficult courses or from difficult tees, until you are ready; aim, don’t just swing. Between his demonstrations and gesticulations, he could very easily have passed for a motivational speaker.
I did as I was told – a 10-finger grip. Symmetrical posture. Draw an imaginary line from your left pectoral muscle straight to the floor… And boom! The ball flew 273 yards right in the centre of the fairway – do not even get me started with the sound echoing in the vast green. “You should take lessons from a professional,” our instructor said before he swanned off. “With time, you can get your golf game on point, or on tee!” That last bit was clever and it made us laugh.
Golf is a difficult sport at first, one has to be persistent to really learn it. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, we had to bring our own water bottles as we were not sure if the carts would be equipped with water coolers. But they were! At Lakowe, they paid special attention to visitors and tried to make sure there was less contact with other people than had been allowed pre-COVID-19.
More than the green
We quit playing after a while as the sun was beginning to bear down fiercely. Heat-induced exhaustion and heat stroke are real. One should not risk either for a round of golf.
As my business partner and I hopped into the golf cart, I smiled to myself. This is the perfect place for an executive to get away from all the stress of work. In this expanse of greens, there were more shades than anyone could ever name. Yet, here they were for any appreciative soul to see. The land stretched on as though time and space were conjoined, undulating through the ages as much as to the horizon. Over it was laid a path, one that branched through the open landscape, leading back to our cottage. I hopped out and began to walk there, a frisson of joy in my steps for all the choices to come, each one of them laden with discoveries.
Hannu Afere is a poet and author based in Lagos. This article was first published by Four Points Communications in NCDMB’s Local Content Digest magazine.
Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.
