About
From Golf Tournament to a Growing African Experience
Founded by Stephen Onaivi in 2020, Play With Stephen is an annual golf tournament created around competition, connection, and purpose. What began in Ghana has grown across seven editions, bringing golfers, business leaders, partners and communities together while using the game to advance autism awareness and inclusion. In 2026, Play With Stephen entered a new chapter with its first Nigerian edition at Lakowe Lakes Golf and Country Estate, Lagos.Â
Every Swing Carries
a Purpose
Play With Stephen is becoming a growing African movement, uniting golfers, brands and communities through golf, autism awareness and inclusion.
Awareness
Using golf to create greater understanding and conversation around autism.
Inclusion
Using the tournament and its surrounding experiences to encourage greater visibility, participation and support for autistic individuals and their families.
Community
Bringing golfers, organisations, advocates, brands and communities together around competition and shared purpose.
Stephen Onaivi
Stephen Onaivi founded Play With Stephen from two things that matter deeply to him: golf and the desire to create meaningful support around autism. What started as a golf tournament in Ghana has grown into an annual experience bringing golfers, business leaders, brands, and communities together through competition and purpose. His vision continues to shape Play With Stephen as the tournament grows across African markets. Stephen’s personal connection to autism should only be included to the extent that he
is comfortable making it public.
OUR JOURNEY
A Growing African Movement
From a single tournament to a growing continental movement, Play With Stephen is uniting Africa through golf, autism awareness and inclusion.
2020 — The Beginning
Play With Stephen begins in Ghana with a vision to bring golf and autism advocacy together
2020–2025 — Six Editions in Ghana
The tournament grows through six editions in Ghana, bringing together golfers, brands, supporters and communities
2026 — A New Chapter in Nigeria
Play With Stephen hosts its seventh edition and first Nigerian tournament at Lakowe Lakes Golf and Country Estate.
Put Your Brand Behind a Bigger Purpose
Put your brand behind a premium golf experience with purpose. Partner with Play
With Stephen through sponsorship, media, hospitality, strategic collaboration or
tournament support.
