Kano Golf Club Captain’s Tourney: Suleiman Leads Winners’ Parade

Abba Suleiman of Katsina Golf Club emerged the overall winner in Category One at the 2026 Kano Golf Club Captain’s Inaugural Tournament held at the historic Kano Golf Club course on Saturday.

The tournament, which attracted about 250 golfers from clubs across Nigeria, was staged at the Kano course, which was established in 1908.

Suleiman, playing off a 6.9 handicap, carded the best net score of 68 over 18 holes to claim the top prize in Category One, reserved for male golfers with handicaps between 0 and 9.

Audu Zaria of Zaria Golf Club finished runner-up with a net score of 73, while Salmanu Dalha of Katsina Golf Club posted the best gross score of 76 in the category.

In the ladies’ event, Kano Golf Club’s Rahama Inusa emerged overall winner in the 0-36 handicap category after returning a net score of 68.

Inusa, a 13-handicap golfer and gold medallist at the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged the Gateway Games, in Abeokuta in May 2025, finished ahead of Lucy Monday of Zaria Golf Club, who recorded a net score of 80.

Lizzy Samuel of Tukur Yusuf Burutai International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja, posted the best gross score of 87, while Kaduna Golf Club Ladies Captain Dorcas Daniel finished second on gross with 94.

The tournament’s outstanding individual performance came from Pastor Francis Bitrus of the Golf Club of the Nigerian Air Force Kano Base.

The 19-handicap golfer recorded a net score of 64 to win Men’s Category Three for players with handicaps between 20 and 28. His score also earned him the award for the best overall net performance of the tournament.

As part of his reward, Bitrus received a free return air ticket to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, courtesy of Saudi Airlines in partnership with Transblue Nigeria Limited.

The one-day tournament featured golfers from some of the country’s leading golf clubs, including Ikoyi, Ikeja, Port Harcourt Python, Shiroro, NDA Kaduna, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Abuja, Jaji, Nigerian Air Force Base Kano, Biu, Katsina, Bauchi, Porto Minjibir, Armour Bauchi, Dutse Royal, IBB Abuja, Tukur Yusuf Burutai Abuja, Lafiya, Rayfield Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Zaria and Lamingo.

A major highlight of the closing ceremony was an exhibition match involving eight of the 11 golf professionals at Kano Golf Club.

The prizes were presented to the winners by distinguished guests, including the Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Alhaji Bashir Mohammed Dalhatu, Wazirin Dutse; Jarman Kazaure, Engineer Mustapha Aliyu, who represented the Emir of Kazaure, Alhaji Najib Hussein Adamu; and Kauran Saminaka, Alhaji Umar Adamkolo Umar.

Speaking at the ceremony, Kano Golf Club Captain David Emeana said the tournament fulfilled one of the promises he made during his campaign for the captaincy.

Emeana said the club’s new management had also reintroduced the mandatory in-house weekly kitty and monthly competitions for members as part of efforts to revitalise activities and improve participation at the club.

“With the prevailing peaceful environment and the age-long hospitality of the people of Kano, professional and amateur golfers from all over the world will be coming to play at this historic golf course, which will in turn boost the economy and develop tourism,” he said.

The captain commended the club’s management team and staff for their commitment and hard work in ensuring the successful organisation of the tournament.

He also expressed appreciation to the individuals and corporate organisations whose financial and material contributions helped make the inaugural tournament a success.