- Self-conviction propelled me to victory
For the first time in a long while, Ikeja Golf club will have a new name on the honour list showing names of past winners of the apex Club Championship.
The championship has been dominated by the likes of multiple winners Muyideen Olaitan, Chris Obije, Austin Ojomo, and Austin Aigbosan. These are single handicappers and past winners primed to win any day.
The story is however different in the 2023 edition, after two days of intense competition a newbie is champion.
Amusa Kelani beat off competition from 53 golfers to emerge the new champion of the Ikeja Golf Club at the grand finale of the 2023 edition of the Championship, which held on Sunday.
He had beat off 200 golfers with 53 strong contenders making the cut to play the second day 18-hole challenge. Kelani hit an impressive 148 gross over two days to top the chart and wrote his name in the club’s history book of past winners.
Fawze Talal, who scored 154 gross over two days, emerged as runner-up while Alhaji Rasaki Muritala finished as second runner-up with a score of 158 gross over two days.
Kelani said self-conviction and belief in his ability propelled him to emerge champion. In truth, he was scared at first of the stiff opposition due to the prestige of the tournament, but he encouraged himself with the support of members who cheered him on to the 18th hole.
He said: “This victory means a lot to me and first of all I want appreciate the people that made it possible for me to be able to participate in this year’s championship because if I could not participate, then there is no way I would have won.
“Playing in this tournament, I knew I play good golf, but I became confident that I could win when almost everybody kept telling me that I was the best and that I can win. So I told myself, if everybody says I can win, why can’t I believe in myself. It was at that point that I knew I could do it.” Kelani said.
With an awesome six shot to win ahead of his closest rival, Kelani said he had great support and followers on the final day and that buoyed his game. “At a point the whole club was behind me and the followed every of my shot. That was good encouragement to build upon.”
The finale wrapped up the week-long championship, which commenced on Monday, November 20, with staff and caddies. Subsequent days featured veteran golfers on Tuesday November 21, a competitive challenge by female golfers on Wednesday November 22, a special kitty and auction night on Thursday and the main competition for golfers with handicap 19 and above on Friday and golfers with handicap 18 and below on Saturday.
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Speaking at the prize presentation ceremony which doubled as the club’s 55th anniversary celebration, the Club’s Captain, Sina Akinyemi, commended and congratulated the winners and all participants for a successful tournament.
“The Ikeja Golf Club has witnessed transformative changes over the years and the Integrated Golf Range is set to build on that. We have started the project and with the support of every member of the golf club, we will complete it,” Akinyemi added.
Also speaking, the President of the club, Mr Kehinde Philips, commended the Captain and the organising committee for convening a successful tournament. “The 2023 championship is one of the most successful we have had in this Club. Successful in terms of attendance and the quality of vision they had for the tournament. I congratulate the captain and the organising committee for a job well done,” he said.
