Four-year-old Lewis Dandyson says he aims to become one of Nigeria’s all-time great golfers having won his first major golf tournament at the one day golf championships in Port Harcourt last Wednesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Olypmpafrica UNIPORT Centre Sports Institute, University of Port Harcourt, hosted the one-day golf tournament at the Port Harcourt Club Golf 1928.
The tournament had different categories for the boys and girls, however, little Dandyson defeated older golfers in the 6 to 8 years category though not up to that age.
NAN reports that little Dandyson made his unexpected entry into the golf championships last year at the age of three years, six months old at the Awa Ibrahim Junior Golf Open Championships, held at Ikeja Golf Club.
There, the young golfer accompanied by his mum to the Ikeja Golf Club venue of the championship, left many who gave him no chance of any performing astonished.
Aspiring Dandyson, however, played 64 in 4 holes to the surprise of the spectators.
Relishing his experience at the Port Harcourt tournament, Dandyson told NAN on Sunday that he was well prepared to take up the challenge of becoming a star by registering for it.
Apparently, considering his age, the organisers asked him to play one hole because they never believed he could play four holes.
Dandyson, a first year pupil of Navy Primary School, Rumouorlumeni, Port Harcourt, to the surprise of many, won his category with 19 in a hole and was presented with a certificate.
Seeing his doggedness in golf, one of the dignitaries at the event Justice Dezen Okocha, said: “He is a champion of all champions because of his boldness.
“I doubted if he could play, but he proved himself,’’ he said.
En route his interest in golf, Dandyson’s mum, Noble, told NAN that he took interest in golf while accompanying his father who is also a golfer to the golf course.
“His dad take him to the golf course and that is where he took the interest from. Seeing that he is much interested by trying to hold the golf stick, we decided to encourage him.
“From there, we began to give him light training and tutorials on golf and he was picking fast. He is a fast learner.
“Last year, he was there just as a participant but seeing that he is ready for major, we registered him for the competition and he did not disappoint.
“I think he is ready to play golf to any level; he is cool and focuses on golf,’’ she told NAN.
Explaining further on how little Dandyson could realise the dream of becoming one of the great golf exports from Nigeria, his mother said that they (parents) were ready to support him.
“We are ready to support him to any level; we are also ready to sponsor him to tournaments both within and outside the country.
“Seeing Dandyson play golf is an inspiration to us, that is what he like doing next to his studies. He loves golf and that was written all over him.
“Lewis is a boy who we notice that he does any task given to him satisfactorily. He plays golf with joy not minding the time he is called upon.
“If you call him out anytime his enthusiasm will surprise you. He can play for hours in spite of his age,’’ she said.
Noble, however, advised parents to involve their children in one sport or the other, adding that it enhanced mental alertness of children.
“Sports are good for our children, it increases their alertness and they also become bold. If any child wants to take to sport, he or she should not be discouraged.
“Sending them to school may sometimes be inadequate as the saying `All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’. That play can be turned to positive things which is sports.
“We can also help our children burn their excess energy by channelling it to sports which is more profitable to vices,’’ she said.
NAN reports that other winners in the championships include: Favour Briade from Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Abuloma who won the U-14 girls category.
Samuel Wallace of Port Harcourt Club won the U-14 boys category, while Clinton Okoji of Navy Secondary School Borikiri won the U-12 boys’ category.
The first price for the U-12 girls’ category was carted away by Favour Nonso of Government Girls Secondary School Ngboshimini.
Henry Harry from Navy Primary School, Pathfinder beat other golfers to in the U-10 boys to emerge champion and also as the best player of the tournament.
