President of Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, has commended Nigeria’s female teenage golf sensation, Iyene Essien, for her exploits at the St. Lawrence University Fall Invitational in Canton, New York, U.S.
Essien, a first-year Electrical Engineering student of Union College, had a record-setting weekend to start her collegiate career at the SLU Fall Invitational, carding rounds of 70 and 81 to earn medalist honors with a program-record two-day score of 151.
She smashed the school record by five strokes with her two-under 70 in her collegiate debut on Saturday, carding three birdies, an eagle, and no holes higher than bogey.
Facing incredibly difficult conditions, Essien carved up the course with the first sub-par round in Union golf history, surpassing the previous record of 75 set by current senior Liz Bentsianov on Sept. 17, 2022 at the NYU Fall Invitational.
The 18-year-old carded an eagle on the par-five 11th to go with three birdies and three bogies in her collegiate debut, carding dual nines of 35 on the way to her record-setting score.
She followed up with an 81 on Sunday to break the school two-day scoring record and post a four-stroke victory, only the third individual medalist honor in program history and the first at an event with more than three teams.
Her effort ensured that she led the Union College women’s golf team to a third-place finish at the season-opening St. Lawrence University Fall Invitational, held on Saturday and Sunday at Oliver D. Appleton Golf Course.
Her excellent performance saw her earn the Union College Women’s Golf Performer of the Week award and three more earning spots on the weekly honour roll.
Runsewe, while commending Essien, a product of IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, described her accomplishments as an inspiration to the younger generation, adding that she was an ambassador of Nigeria’s grassroots golf development.
He said her exploits while in college was a fulcrum of great possibilities and renewed hope for Nigeria and Nigerians.
The NGF President said that the success story of Essien was the motivating factor behind his desire to ensure that more talents were discovered at the grassroots in the country.
“Under my leadership as the NGF President, I have always emphasized the need to concentrate on grassroots development of the sport.
“This is why we have been able to build the Golf and Health Signature, a hub for the growth and development of young talents in the country.
“This is the way other advanced countries grew the game in their part of the world. They started well and early, and that’s exactly what we are also trying to achieve here at the Golf and Health Signature
“These young talents are the future of the sport, and in a few years to come, they would represent Nigeria in different circuits around the world,” he said.
He also commended the efforts of Essien’s parents who committed their time, energy and resources to seeing her through the most crucial part of her golfing career, while also ensuring that she gets the best education.
He urged other parents to borrow a leaf from Essien’s story and encourage their children to start playing golf at an early age, describing it as a sport they can be engaged in for the rest of their lives.
He also assured of the NGF’s continued support for young golfers to enable them reach their full potential and exhibit their talent.
The NGF boss also called for more sponsorship from corporate bodies, private institutions, and philanthropists to support grassroots development of sport in the country (NAN)
