Tag: GOLF

The second edition of the Acutech Pro-Am Golf Championship will tee off at Ikeja Golf Club in Lagos  today and simultaneously kick-start the professional golf season in the country.

With a total purse of N15 m at stake, Nigeria’s topmost professionals are already assembled at the host course over the weekend to vie to make an early impression on the 2024 ranking and a sizeable chunk of the winning.

Zed Jituboh, Chairman of Acutech Support Systems Limited, said the event is part of the company’s attempt at investing in its operating environment through sports development. 

 “The Acutech Pro-Am Golf Championship is the platform we have created to help drive the development of the game of golf. We have other initiatives around golf too, but this event is solely to expose and reward our talents in professional golf.”

Jituboh said Acutech was partnering with professional golf to run the championship and looks forward to expand its deliverables.

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Ghana’s Emos Korblah, the winner of the inaugural edition of the event, said after his practice round on yesterday  that he looks forward to defending the championship.

 “Ikeja Golf Club is one golf course that is highly underrated. The course challenges every bit of your golfing skill. The fairway design and several factors will be at play this week. I always look forward to playing it, and I hope they defend this title this week.” Korblah said.

Former Nigeria’s number one players, Francis Epe, Oche Odoh, and Mike Ubi, would be headlining the playing rounds when the 56-hole hostilities get off.

Professional Golfers’ Association’s Operation’s Director, Uche Ezebuiro said the body was continually working with willing corporates to develop the game and showcase the best of Nigeria’s golf talents.

“This year, in the bid to align our body and operations to global best practices, we are making some tweaks here and there to afford our members a better professional golf experience. Acutech is one of our topmost development partners, and we look forward to on-board more this season,” he said.

Opeyemi Adebiyi, programme coordinator of For The Love Of Golf Initiative, an annual event founded to support paediatric cancer patients has described this year’s edition as a tremendous success.

Adebiyi who worked closely with the founder of the project, Dr. Adesola Falaiye and other members of the steering committee also expressed her  gratitude to individuals and corporate sponsors for their  support towards putting smiles on the faces of kids living with cancer.

“We had over 80 players, a mix of corporate teams and individual players, making it a truly engaging and competitive event,” she said. “This year was special for several reasons. The support from sponsors, both corporate entities and individuals, was outstanding. Their commitment has propelled our mission forward, making a real difference for kids battling cancer.

“The diversity in participation, with players coming from various backgrounds, speaks volumes about the widespread support we’re gaining for this noble cause.”

Adebiyi was obviously delighted at the expansion of their charity efforts beyond Lagos with the inclusion of University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan as this year’s beneficiary of the ECG machines and cardiac monitors.

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“We’ve been making a positive impact at LASUTH and LUTH in Lagos over the last three years, and expanding to UCH was a natural progression in our mission to spread hope and healing.”

She stated  that the success of the tournament wouldn’t have been possible without the efforts of  the board of directors, steering committee members,  the Captain of Ikeja Golf Club,  media partners, volunteers, and everyone who played a role in making the charity event seamless and impactful.

Adebiyi explained that as the Programme Coordinator, seeing the positive impact of their collective efforts on the young lives has been deeply rewarding.

“Looking ahead, the vision is clear—to keep growing, keep impacting, and keep making positive changes in our community through events like this,” he said.” I invite everyone to be a part of this meaningful mission. Your support can truly make a difference in the lives of children battling cancer.”

Ajibola Sodiq playing  with 20 handicap has emerged winner of the Toposyi Charity Golf Tourney organized at Tiger  Golf Club(TGC)  Ibadan at the weekend  in honour  of a distinguished golfer and CEO of TOPOSYI Realtors,  Ayomiposi Ibrahim.

A member of Tiger Golf Club, Sodiq who returned with a score of 89 gross over 69 net, beat Major JO Idowu  with handicap18 and 89 gross over 71 net to the second place. 

Former lady Captain of TGC, Sade Ajala won the ladies category with scores of 85 gross over 71 net while LGAN Chieftain, Evleyn Oyome emerged winner in the gross ladies with 80 gross.

Oyo State House of Assembly’s Speaker,  Hon Adebo Ogundoyin who was represented by his deputy, Hon. Muhammed Abiodun Fadeyi performed the ceremonial tee-off, commended the celebrant for using his birthday to put smiles on the faces of the commoners.

The Captain of the Club,Tunde Salami, thanked all golfers and well-wishers that came from far and wide to celebrate with one of their revered members who marked  his birthday while describing Olamiposi as an exemplary  gentleman.

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The celebrant  expressed gratitude to all and sundry that contributed to the two-day program,  saying: “I am glad to be able to host about 150 golfers all around the world that came here to celebrate with me, and I feel happy to be able to give back to people.”

He added: “Earlier today(Saturday),  we visited orphanages and prison to make some donations and we shall sponsor five caddies for their tertiary education, we’re also supporting a caddy that is a dry cleaner with a washing machine to assist his business.”

“All these were done under the Ibrahim Ayomiposi Foundation, and I want to promise that we shall make this an annual program here at the Tiger Golf Club and people should be looking out for better and improved package every year by the grace of God.” 

Organised by the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, the 2023 edition of the Nigerian-British Golf Tournament ended on a high note as ADL Solutions upset last year’s winner of the competition, Yoke Solutions after a thrilling and exciting 18-hole competition at Lagos Ikeja Golf Club.

Speaking at the lavish dinner party organised for the golfers and sponsors at the conclusion of the competition, the Special Guest of Honor of the event, Governor Babajide Sanwolu, expressed delight at the championship’s core through his representative, Mrs. Cecilia Babajide Dada, Commissioner for Women Affairs.

The Governor’s special prize recipient, Mrs. Dada, clarified how the competition aligned with Mr. Sanwoolu’s goal, particularly in the domains of mental health campaigns and entertainment development.

The Governor’s delegate also commended the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), the organizing body of the golf competition, for offering a platform that encourages unwinding, mingling, and networking.

Like in previous editions, the golfers sweated it out to outperform each other in a competitive manner. There was no nice mood on the course under the scorching sun either. Nonetheless, there was smooth flow of the ball among competitors.

The twenty-one four-player teams allowed for increased tactical engagement and teamwork.

After all was said and done, ADL had won the ninth amateur tournament with 141 Stable Ford points; Yoke had come in second with 140 points, and Consolidated Hallmark had finished third with 138 points.

ADL player Abubakar Ayuba stated that their ability to concentrate was crucial to their success. More so, you’ll need to decide what you want to accomplish.

Some of the golfers found it difficult to focus because they were accustomed to the 18-hole Ikoyi golf course, which was previously used by tournament organizers, as opposed to the Ikeja Club, which has 9 holes.

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Speaking on how the event went, Mr. Omotayo Babalakin, vice president of the championship organizing committee, stated:

“It’s gone really well, and it’s been amazing; our sponsors were excellent.”

Furthermore, it’s a team competition that follows the Stable Ford format in golf.

“Many people came, and by God’s grace, we had amazing weather, which contributed to the competition’s great success. Babalakin said, “The prize presentation to players and sponsors also went well.”

The ceremonies honouring the winning groups and individuals were spectacular.

With 36 Stable Ford points, Linda Obieze was victorious in the women’s division, while Edelu Efekoha won the men’s division.

In the team honours, Yoke came in second place with a trophy and return tickets to Abuja, while ADL took first place with a trophy and a two-night stay at the Marriott Hotel.

Along with a trophy, Hallmark, who placed third, was also offered a two-night stay at the Golf View hotel.

“Next year, we are going to introduce some other things to improve the look and feel of the championship,” Mr. Babalakin said, referring to the upcoming edition.

Sponsors and partners lent their support to this remarkable event, recognizing its significance in promoting the sport and encouraging participation among golf enthusiasts. Their contributions were being instrumental in enhancing the tournament experience and offering valuable prizes that reflect the spirit of excellence and achievement.

In addition to the competitive aspect, the event offered attendees an opportunity to engage in various activities and networking sessions, fostering connections and creating lasting memories beyond the fairways.

More than 100 professional golfers across  the continent have signed on for Nigeria Professional Golf Tour’s biggest purse-event  to be held at  the  Python Golf Club, Port Harcourt in  Rivers State.

With a whopping N22 million total prize purse for the professional, the event which began yesterday will  climax next Sunday,  November 12^th .

Chief Ikenna Okafor, Chief Executive of the sponsoring company, Keves Global Leasing Limited, has said the event is the company’s effort to contribute to the development of golf, a sport he  said should be at the root of rebuilding the moral structure of the African child.

 “This is our effort in promoting the game of golf. The honesty, accountability, and self-discipline that the game promotes are core to the development of a great personality,” he said.

Top players from Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon, Namibia, and Rwanda will be filling-out with leading players on the Nigeria Tour to vie for the 2023 honours.

 “Our goal is to create a platform to expose and celebrate the leading professional golfers on the continent, and I must say some of the best are in Nigeria. And we hope that this event will also become the biggest reward for their talents as well.” Okafor added.

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The event commenced yesterday , with the Junior players round, while Caddies will join the fray today. .

 “The Junior members and caddies have been the most viable funnels for recruitment into the game, and their involvement is to deepen our reach into the demographics, with our strategic objective.”

Ikoyi-based defending champion of the event, Sunday Olapade, has already arrived at the par 72 Python Club, where he hopes to face some of the stiffest challenges on the Tour for the event.

The current leader of the Nigeria Tour, Francis Epe, Kamalu Bako of IBB International Golf and Country Club, Mike Ubi and Gift Willy from Python Club will be hoping to wrest the title as well despite  strong opposition from top players across the continent.

They include: Ghana’s Vincent Torgah, Nelson Mudanyi from Kenya, Ronald Rugumayo from Rwanda, and Paulino Kasoma from Namibia.

The event will wind-up with the closing round of the professionals’ 72-hole contest, and amateur players final play on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

President of the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, has  urged kid to take advantage of the Awa Ibraheem Junior Open Golf Championship to brighten their future in sport and education.

Speaking yesterday at the 10th   presentation ceremony of the competition at the Ikeja Golf Club, Lagos, Otunba Runsewe  commended Dr Awa Ibraheem’s foresight in building the future of Nigeria children through golf.

Runsewe described the competition which coincided with the 70th  birthday of Dr. Ibraheem “as the enabling environment created for the kids to thrive.”

Dwelling on the legacy of  Dr Ibraheem who is the sponsor of  the  championship, the NGF President asserted, “Alhaji Awa Ibraheem is a detribalised Nigerian who has seen why we need to build in the future of this great country. “

He affirmed, “The children are the future of this great country; the President, Senators, Representatives and Ministers of the country tomorrow are among these children; hence, if we’re wishing the best for this great country, we must connect with the children.”

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He went going down memory lane to recall: “Sometime ago I was in New York trying to bring Tiger Woods to Nigeria, I saw him doing what Alhaji Awa Ibraheem is doing today in Nigeria.”

“For 11 years this great patriot of Nigeria has been celebrating his birthday by touching the lives of young golfers by developing a new strategy to bringing new dynamism to golf.”

Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of prizes and awards to winners and deserving personalities and the accompanying scholarship announcement of N300,000, N200,000 and N150,000 to the first, second and third in that order.

By Onyewuchi Nwachukwu

Organisers of the annual For The Love Of Golf tournament have planned to raise a whopping $300,000 dollars from the proceeds of this year’s edition to procure a flow cytometer machine which will assist in the treatment of paediatric cancer patients.

Ejiro Ogomigo, the cordinator of the championship which is in its fourth edition made this disclosure while reeling out activities lined up to make this year’s event achieve bigger impact.

Said he:” We are all here to announce the commencement of Season Four of For The Love of Golf tournament. We usually organise an annual golf tournament at the Ikeja Golf Club where we raise funds from members and corporate bodies and proceeds from the event is directed towards cancer treatment nationwide.

“Before now, the proceeds have always been donated to LASUTH and UCH but this year, we want to focus more on corporate bodies to enable us raise more funds and make greater impact.

“Our long term goal is to build a cancer centre where indigent paediatric cancer patients can receive quality treatment and this will require a lot of funds.

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“The only way we can get the support of corporate bodies is to create awareness in such a way that the For The Love Of Golf will become a household name. It will then become easy to sell to coprporate bodies.

“We have a goal in the interim to raise about $300,000 to procure a Flow Cytometer and the next three years, we intend to procure a Linear Accelerator that will partner with an existing, well established cancer centre.”

The founder of the For The Love Of Golf, Dr Florence Adesola Falaiye described the project as the work of God she and her crew members are doing through the golf channel adding that the ultimate aim is to help paediatric cancer patients.

“This is a work of God that we are doing through the golf channel. We play golf via a robust tournament and use it to raise funds for cancer treatment. The aim is to help children living with cancer.

“We started in 2020 and the proceeds were donated to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) paediatric cancer ward. In the second year, the proceeds were donated to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and in the third year, we came back to LASUTH to donate equipments and drugs to the LASUTH paediatric cancer ward.”

All is set for a thriller in Abuja and history is about to be made at the 2023 IBB Golf Club October 1st  Golf Tournament where the overall winner will cruise home with a brand new car from Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN).

Over 500 players from Nigeria and four other countries will be jostling for glory in the prestigious event taking place at the IBB Golf Club between September 25th  and  October 1st.

The IBB Independence Golf Tournament has long been a highlight on Nigeria’s golfing calendar, attracting top talent and enthusiastic participants from near and far. This year’s event is featuring a record number of over 500 golfers with players coming from Rwanda, Cameroun, Uganda and Ghana .

This year’s tournament will feature a challenging course that will test the skills and strategies of every golfer. With pristine fairways and meticulously maintained greens, the IBB Golf Club provides the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable week of golf.

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“We are thrilled to host the Independence Golf Tournament once again, and we wanted to make this year’s event extra special,” said the IBB Golf Captain, Dt. Banjo Obaleye. We are also using the platform and wonderful game of golf to highlight the business opportunities in Nigeria and promote vibrant trade between African countries. This year’s event will include a business dinner with delegates from the other African countries.

 “The tournament will also offer opportunities for networking, socializing, and enjoying the camaraderie of fellow golf enthusiasts.”

This event is a celebration of our nation’s independence and a testament to the passion and dedication that golfers bring to the sport.

Club’s Vice Captain who doubles as Chairman of the Independence Cup Organising Committee,  Ibrahim Babayo assured the golfers, the media and the public a “show stopper event.”

He added:“ I am particularly thrilled by the calibre and enthusiasm of our 2023 sponsors including PAN Nigeria. Access Bank, Sterling Bank, United Payment, HOPE Bank, TAJ Bank, Landmark Africa, Waltersmith, Stanbic IBTC and Golden Construction. We are committed to creating an unforgettable atmosphere and enhancing the experience of sponsors and spectators alike. “

The Independence Golf Tournament at IBB Golf Club Abuja has become an annual highlight on Nigeria’s golfing calendar.