By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Aug. 31, 2024 (NAN) Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, the President, Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), on Saturday hosted Africa’s first ever indoor golf championship in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the championship which, held at the Golf and Health Signature (GHS) witnessed the participation of no fewer than 150 lady golfers from various golf clubs in Abuja.
Runsewe told NAN that hosting the championship, which was the first ever in Africa, was a thing of joy and pride for Nigeria.
“I am so delighted to see that Nigeria is making another first. The indoor golf and short game is the first of its kind in the whole of Africa.
“As the giant of Africa, we must take the lead. We can not sit down and be waiting for other African countries to show us the way.
“So, what we have succeded to do here today is the beginning of greater things to come in terms of the growth and development of golf 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,” he said.
The NGF President said that the course would be a hub for the growth and development of young talents in a few years to come who would represent Nigeria in different circuits around the world.
He stressed that there was a need to start early and very well with a course like what was obtainable at the Golf and Health Signature if the country intends to get it right.
“Ideally, one is not supposed to carry a child of 10 to 12 years straight to play on the 18-hole golf course. They need to start from somewhere to understand that short game is the first and sure way to grow and horn their skills.
“Under my leadership as the NGF President, we’ve been able to showcase the best of Nigeria, in terms of golf and I can tell you that even the ladies, over 90 percent of them are playing indoor golf and short game for the first time.
“So, it’s a beginning. However, we have taken and embraced it before other African countries, and it is indeed a historic and monumental achievement,” he said.
Some of the lady golfers who spoke to NAN on the sidelines of the tournament also expressed delight at participating in the championship, adding that it was a historic event.
Ekanem Ekwueme, Former President of Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) and the AACT Trustee for West & Central Africa, said the championship and facility was second to none.
“You can play golf all year round in a facility like this, and it also helps you have a first-hand knowledge of different courses around the world even before you travel to play in them.
“For instance, a contingent of our lady golfers will soon be travelling to Morocco to represent Nigeria in the All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) in November.
“With a facility such as this, we can camp our players here because when you go into this indoor golf course you can pull off a simulation of the exact golf course we will be playing in Morocco.
“By the time we play that particular golf course indoor here, we would have gotten so acquainted with it so much so that when we get to Morocco, the course won’t be strange to us.
“So, imagine if we did that for our team all the time we want to play, it will definitely help us stay fresh always and go a long way to improve our game,” she said.
Dame Julie Donli, the Lady Captain of IBB International Golf and Country Club, said it was a privilege for all the Lady Captains from the various clubs in Abuja as well as other lady golfers to experience the very first indoor championship at the G & H Signature.
“We are really excited to be the first to experience this, and some of us played very well, while some others did not do so well, especially in the indoor activities,” she said.
Dr Chioma Acholonu, the Lady Captain of I.E. Ibas Golf Club, Karshi said the facility and the championship itself was very good for beginners, adding that “catching them young” was the way to go.
“Children are now competing globally. So this concept will help our youths to grow and develop their God-given talent optimally,” she said.
Angel Ajuzie, Lady Captain of GEJ Golf Club, said it was her first time playing the indoor and short game, adding that it was an exciting adventure and a learning experience.
“Initially, I didn’t understand what it was all about, and I was just hitting the ball, but with time, I picked up and really improved on my short game.
“It is indeed an experience I hope to pass across to my club, and it is also very good for beginners,” she said.
Staff Sergeant Maureen Apute, the Lady Captain of TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, said it was a good initiative, adding that the organisation was top-notch.
“The basic reason for this event is to help us improve our short game, and I must give kudos to the organisers for putting this event together as it has really helped us,” she said.
NAN also reports that Becky Danladi of TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja, emerged over all winner of the championship.
The championship, which was organised by Olusegun Runsewe, the President of Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), had no fewer than 150 lady golfers participating at the Golf and Health Signature in Abuja.
Danladi clinched the championship overall prize after she returned a total gross score of 43.
She played off handicap 24 and returned a gross score of 14 and 29 in the indoor and outdoor event, respectively, which was the lowest total gross score of the championship.
She was closely followed by Tessy Johnson also of TYB IGRCC who grossed a total of 44 after returning 16 and 28 gross in the indoor and outdoor event respectively.
Staff Sergeant Maureen Apute, the Lady Captain of TYB IGRCC beat Nanwor Mamven of IBB International Golf and Country Club on countback to finish third.
This was after both players posted 15 and 32 gross in the indoor and outdoor event, respectively, for a total gross score of 47.
Susan Marcus also of TYB IGRCC completed the top five spot after she grossed 18 (indoor) and 30 (outdoor) for a total of 48 gross.
In the auxiliary prizes category, Maryam Atta-Bala of IBB IGCC won the prize for the nearest to the pin with a distance of 3 feet.
Marcus also settled for the runner-up prize in the category with a distance of 4 feet.
The longest drive award went to Juliet Umolu of IBB IGCC with a distance of 278 metres, while IBB IGCC Grace Ihonvbere was awarded the prize for the best indoor score of 13 gross.
Dame Julie Donli won the prize for the best dressed lady golfer of the championship.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of certificates of participation to all the participants as well as the award of mouth-watering prizes to deserving winners by the special guests of honour, Mrs Helen Mark and Mr Tayo Amu.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
