The Olumobi of Imobi-Ijesha, Osun State, Oba Adetayo Haastrup, on Wednesday, teed off the 15th IBB International Golf and Country Club Junior Open Championship in Abuja.
No fewer than 160 young golfers from 20 golf clubs across the country were taking part in the three-day competition put together by the Lady Section of the IBB Golf Club to discover young golfing talents for Nigeria.
Performing the ceremonial tee off, Oba Haastrup urged the participating golfers to brace up for future challenges as the country awaits to see them in international outings.
The traditional ruler, while thanking the Lady section of the IBB International Golf and Country Club for organising the annual event, implored them to allow the golfers to compete fairly without favouring any particular player or club.
IBB Golf Club’s Lady captain, Comfort Olasade Olateju, said the intention of organising the event was to select the best for the year from among them.
“The persons declared as champions in all the categories will have their names sent to St Andrews.
“This year, we have 160 participants. We actually cut down on the number, so as to have manageable numbers that we can cater for. Those that came from outside Abuja were giving hotel accommodations in Maitama with full securityL and two of our Pros are staying with them,” she said.
The participating golfers drawn from Jos, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ikoyi, Ikeja, Port Harcourt as well as Asaba Golf Clubs were divided into three categories comprising ages 7 -10, 11-14, and 15 – 18.
The event is expected to end on Friday with presentations of trophies to the winners.
Godwin Okoko of the David Mark International Golf Academy, Otukpo, Benue State won the last edition of the champion for a third consecutive time, cruising to a 221 gross victory after three days of golfing on the 18-holes golf course of the IBB Golf and Country Golf Club, Abuja.
The then final-year student of Destiny College ASA 1 Otukpo, Benue State, defeated a field 154 young golfers to emerge champion and smiled home with $1,000 scholarship prize.
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