The Nation Newspaper

Tag: golfers

  • Golfers celebrate Nigeria Cup initiator Awogbade at 70

    Golfers celebrate Nigeria Cup initiator Awogbade at 70

    The amateur golfer credit with initiating the prestigious Nigeria Cup Golf Tournament Soji Awogbade was over the week celebrated by scores of golfers to mark his 70th birthday with a special kitty at the Ikoyi Club golf section.

    The Nigeria Club is a yearly golf tournament in celebration of Nigeria’s Independence, and one of the most consistent events in Nigeria’s golf calendar.    

    The 18-holes kitty which saw participants drawn from across the country and others from Ghana saw high flying Tunji Tiamiyu emerging the overall winner.

    Playing off handicap 16, Tiamiyu grossed a score of 86 for 70-net score to win the keenly contested Birthday Kitty.

    Read Also: 120 golfers to grace TAF  2nd charity tournament

    Elated at his victory, Tiamiyu hailed his playing partners; Akin Areola, former Captain, Ikeja Golf Club and Abiodun Savage of Ikoyi Club for helping him to win.

    While Tiamiyu won in the net category, perennial winner, Peter Eben-Spiff won in the gross category. He carded 77-gross to lift the trophy staked in the category.

    Linda Obieze stole the show in the ladies category winning with a net score of 77.

    The Celebrants, Awogbade who is credited with setting up one of the nation’s most attractive golf tournament; the Nigeria Cup also used the opportunity of his 70th birthday celebrations to honour those who were part of the Nigeria Cup Organising Committee at inception, among whom is former Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) President, Shina Aigoro. 

    Apart from his other contributions to golf development highlighted at the event, Nigeria Cup, his brainchild stood out.

  • When golfers stormed Bonny Island

    Bonny Island came alive with a golfing feast prepared by the Nigeria LNG Limited. It played host to over 100 golfers. The NLNG MD’s Golf Classic, which held at its Residential Area golf course, on the Island, attracted participants from the IBB Golf Club, Abuja; Port Harcourt Golf Club, Kaduna Golf Club (KGC), Ibori Golf and Country Club, Asaba; Shell Warri Golf Club; Rumuokwurushi Golf Club, Port Harcourt and Ikoyi Golf Club, Lagos.

    The two-day tournament in its 2nd edition was graced by prominent royal fathers of the Niger Delta; chief executives from NNPC, Shell, Mobil, Total, NCDMB, PETAN; golf enthusiasts from various clubs in Nigeria, and the host, Bonny Island Golf Club.

    Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Nigeria LNG Limited, Mr Tony Attah, described the game of golf as a business game, stating that the NLNG MD’s Golf Classic provides valuable opportunity for networking, building bonds of friendship and the integration of the oil and gas industry’s efforts to develop Bonny Island. “Bonny Island is one of the most important energy corridors in Africa”, he said.

    Mr. Attah assured participants that the event would become an annual year-end to be held every December, given the positive impact it would have on NLNG’s tourism vision for Bonny Island, while urging companies on the Island to continue to partner on emergency response to ensure safety and security as well as the social development of Bonny Island.

    In the same vein, Executive Secretary of Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr Simbi Wabote, commended Nigeria LNG for the initiative, stating that: “NLNG should do this continuously. It will really bring people to see NLNG as an organization that cares about people. Just keep the golf course pristine and external parties might even want to sponsor contests on this course”.

    Day one of the event featured a ceremonial tee-off by the Bonny Island Golf Club members while the official opening of the tournament for the invited guests was on the second day. The first shot from the Hole 1 tee box was taken by the Amanyanabo of Grand Bonny Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III. Other distinguished guests at the ceremonial tee-off were Engr. Saidu Mohammed, Group Executive Director, Gas and Power Companies, NNPC; Engr. Simbi Wabote; Mr. Udom Inoyo, Vice Chairman, Mobil Producing Nigeria; Mr. Kayode Ogunleye, Vice President, HR for Sub-Saharan Africa, Shell; and Mr. Bank-Anthony Okoroafor, Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN).

    Top oil and gas dignitaries present at the event were Alhaji. Zango Mohammed Musa, GM Business & Medical, Ventures, NNPC; Alhaji. Ibrahim Aminu Bagudu, GM Planning and Business Development, Ventures, NNPC; Mr. Dotun Isiaka, GM Technical (Deepwater & Subsurface), Mobil and Mr. Bennett Anyanwu, Deputy GM, Audit & Company Management Systems, Total. Senior management team of Nigeria LNG led by the host of the Golf Classic, Mr. Tony Attah included the General Manager, Production, Mr. Tayo Oginni and General Manager, Commercial, Mr. Godwill Dike. The tournament featured 55 Bonny Island Golf Club players and 45 golfers from the other clubs in Nigeria.

    At a dinner to close the event, His Royal Majesty, King Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff, Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, Bayelsa State presented awards to the top performers. The 76-year old monarch also participated in the golfing action, playing with a handicap 21 and finishing with a gross score of 104 shots and final score of 83. Emerging as overall best players of the tournament were Umar Farouk Suleiman of Kaduna Golf Club in first place with net score of 71. Chris Alagoa of Port Harcourt Golf Club and John Tobi Olorundare of BIGC placed 2nd and 3rd respectively with net scores of 72 each. The best female golfer was Bridget Ogwah of BIGC with a net score of 75, which placed her in the 9th position overall.

  • STI to host golfers

    Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc is set to host the sixth edition of its eponymous Open Golf Tournament in conjunction with Ibadan Golf Club in the ancient city of Ibadan, Oyo State. The tournament will run from March 23 to 25 as part of the company’s contribution to the development.

    In a statement, the spokesperson for the organisation, Segun Bankole, said STI has a very unique and dynamic qualities as an underwriting firm which is worth showcasing to the golfing community and golfers alike during the three-day event and beyond.

    According to him, the company has evolved over time, having been established over two decades ago  and  has become a very vibrant, youthful, and upwardly mobile brand which has kept up with pacesetting initiatives in the insurance industry in Nigeria over the years.

    One of the patrons of Ibadan Golf Club and a golfer, Chief Babajide Olatunde-Agbeja of Boff & Co.Insurance Brokers, lauded STI for staying true and showing commitment to sponsoring the tournament in the last six years of its commencement.

    He said: “STI has consistently shown unwavering commitment to the promotion of sporting activities and the development of young talents in different areas of human endeavour in the country over a period of time now.

     

     

  • Kaduna economic summit: FCT, Port Harcourt golfers, others storm tournament

    As preparations for the Kaduna State Economic and Invest Summit (KadInvest) continued over the weekend, golfers from across the country on Saturday participated in the Kadinvest 2016 Golf tournament held in Kaduna.

    Wife of Kaduna State Governor, Hajiya Hadiza El-Rufai, who performed the tee-off as golfers from the host club, Kaduna Golf Club, were joined by players from golf cubs in Abuja, Kano, Minna, Jaji and Port-Harcourt.

    Hajiya El-Rufai was supported at the opening of the tournament  by senior government officials, including Dr. Manzo Maigari, Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, Hadiza Bala-Usman, Chief of Staff to the Governor and Chris Umar, Deputy Chief of Staff in the office of the Deputy Governor.

    Welcoming the golfers, Executive Secretary of the Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency (KADIPA), Gambo Hamza, explained the thrust of KadInvest as a platform to stimulate private sector investments in the many opportunities that Kaduna State offers.

    Hamza said: “Securing and fast-tracking investments is the best way to create sustainable jobs, grow the economy and improve livelihoods for our people,” he explained.

    Golfers like Senator Ben Birabi, His Royal Highness Alfred Diete-Spiff and General Zamani Lekwot participated in the tournament which was sponsored by Pinnacle Investments.

    Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, who made a surprise appearance at the gala dinner for the tournament where trophies were presented told the golfers that he had just returned to Kaduna from Paris where he met the management of Peugeot Citroen to further discuss the bid for Peugeot Automobile Nigeria.

    According to the governor: “Jobs and prosperity are essential to restoring our Kaduna as a cosmopolitan city that welcomes all and provides opportunities to start and grow successful businesses.”

    El-Rufai commended the sponsors and participants in the golf tournament for providing such a wonderful platform for unveiling KadInvest 2016.

  • Golfers storm Enugu

    Golfers storm Enugu

    Enugu, the Coal City hummed with golfers who came in from across the country to compete in the 20th Heineken Enugu Amateur Open Golf Tournament.

    Sponsored by the Nigerian Breweries Plc, the tournament ended with 32-year old Chima Chukwu from Benin Golf Club becoming the overall winner with best gross of 155.

    Chukwu defeated S. Justin from Port-Harcourt club and Chimezie Onyeaghala of Enugu club who returned 159 and 156 gross respectively.

    Enugu state Commissioner for Youth and Sports,  Charles Ndukwe who represented Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi said by its consistent sponsorship of the tournament,  NB Plc has demystified the age-long belief that golf is an elitist sport.

    He said it “rather a captivating sport that has harnessed, the old and the young in the rugged spirit of camaraderie.”

    He said the Ugwuanyi administration will always to invest in sports, insisting that it remains one major avenue of keeping  young men busy and by so doing taking their minds away from  crime.

    The Managing Director of the NB Plc, Nicolaas Vervelde who was represented by the Public Affairs Managern of Ama Breweries, Patrick Ejidoh said sponsorship of the tournament had offered them the opportunity as a corporate entity to demonstrate their commitment to sports development in the country.

    He said the golf event was in recognition of the role of sport in the enhancement of active and healthy mind.

    He said with NB Plc and the Enugu Sports Club becoming age-long partners, he was hopeful that the club would continue to provide the enabling environment for the sustenance of the partnership.

    The captain of the Golf Section of Enugu Sports Club, Vin-Martin Ilo who had earlier presented special awards tagged ‘Captain’s Service Awards’to his predecessor,  Ben Etiaba, Patrick Ejidoh (Most Improved Golfer for 2015), Mike Raffaoul and son as most dedicated executive member and auxiliary member, respectively, appealed to the state government to not only sustain its support for the club but also to improve on it.

    Other winners in the various categories of the game emerged went home with various itmes ranging from Plasma TV, refrigerators,  gas cookers, standing fans and blenders, among others.

  • MINI Cooper excites Golfers

    MINI Cooper excites Golfers

    It was a day of excitement and funfare as Golfers took turns trying to make a hole in the luscious green lawns at the Lakowe Lakes Golf and Country Estate, Lagos on Independence Day.

    The occasion was the second anniversary of the Lakowe Lakes Golf Club and Independence day Tournament in partnership with the MINI brand as a MINI Cooper was presented by Coscharis Motors Limited for the Hole In One prize.

    Guests on arrival were greeted with the seemingly smiling faces of various colours of MINI Cooper brand displayed at strategic locations within the Club to add colour to the event. The Golfers could put in their best to win the red coloured MINI Cooper.

    Speaking at the event on behalf of Coscharis Motors Limited, the General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Services, Coscharis Group, Abiona Babarinde explained the rationale behind the MINI brand’s partnership, saying MINI resonates with the calibre of audience at the Golf event, which invariably allows the brand connection to the right audience.

    The MINI car as the winning prize, Babarinde said, is to provide value added excitement for the fun loving Golfers.

  • MTN World Golfers Nigerian Championship 2014: 23-Year Old student, Ajah wins title

    MTN World Golfers Nigerian Championship 2014: 23-Year Old student, Ajah wins title

    Sunday Ajah, a 23 year-old secondary school leaver from Aba Golf Course, Abia State has won the major category, 0-5, in this year’ s MTN World Golfers Nigerian Championship which took place at the Ibom Golf Resort, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State over the weekend.

    The former student of Boys Technical College, Aba, who incidentally is one of the youngest players in the tournament, came to the championship as the winner of the Eastern qualifiers. In this edition, Sunday Ajah beat his close rivals in the 0-5 category, Peter Eben-Spiff of Ikoyi Golf Club, Lagos and another young player, Abiodun Oyewoga of Sagamu Golf Club with a net score of 147 to 153 and 162 respectively.

    Also in other categories, Francis Demekaa of Air Assault Club, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Usenobong Akpabio of Ibom Golf Club, Akwa Ibom State and Angela Uwabor, of Ibori Golf Club, Delta State emerged the winners in the 6-10, 11-15 and 16-20 categories respectively. Babajide Oredugba of Ikeja Golf Club, Lagos State won the 21-25 category. Speaking at the prize presentation, Sunday Ajah said it took the grace of God to emerge the winner in the category. “As you are aware, 0-5 category represents the biggest in the championship, and everybody in this category is equally good and has considerable experience in the game, so it takes God’s grace, consistency and continuous hard work for me to win. I started as a caddy in 2007, I studied through the game and today I am a national champion, I believe it is the grace of God,” he stated.

    Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN, Mike Ikpoki who also played in the 11-15 category, reiterated the company’s commitment  not only to the development of the game in Nigeria, but also as a company that will continue to act as a significant economic enabler, empowering millions of Nigerians and businesses across Nigeria.

    “In fact, through our innovative product offerings and value-adding services, we will continue to demonstrate our commitment to making our customers’ lives a whole lot better. With MTN World Golfers Championship, we provide a very exciting and competitive platform to develop the players. With all modesty, this is the biggest and best Golfers Championship in the country and we are proud of it. More so, as a brand that always encourages its customers to be better in all they do, we shall continue to give it our support,” he declared.

    This year’s World Golfers Championship is the 20th edition, and for 10 years, Nigeria has been participating in the championship. The winners in the five categories of the MTN World Golfers Nigerian Championship which include Sunday Ajah, Francis Demekaa, Usenobong Akpabio, Angela Uwabor and Babajide Oredugba will represent Nigeria in their respective categories at the world championship in Durban, South Africa in October this year.

  • Senate President battles 400 golfers in CBN Governor’s Cup

    Senate President battles 400 golfers in CBN Governor’s Cup

    SENATE President Senator David Mark would have his hands full come Saturday when he battles with 400 golfers in Abuja and other states of the Federation in a two-day tournament to have a shot at this year’s Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Golf Cup he last won in 2011.

    This sixth edition of the competition would tee off on Saturday and would be rounded off on Sunday at the IBB International Golf and Country Club.

    Director, Corporate Communications Department, Central Bank of Nigeria, Ugo Okoroafor who declared that the sponsorship of the CBN Governor’s Golf Cup Tournament has come to stay promised golfers that would compete in the competition a fulfilling tournament.

    “I wish to use this medium to reiterate that the CBN is committed to making positive contributions towards the development of the game of golf as part of the Bank’s corporate social responsibility program,” Okoroafor stated.

    The CBN top official also disclosed that CBN interest is not restricted to golf.