By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Oct. 22, 2024 (NAN) Lt. Col Usman Ibrahim has emerged winner of the maiden edition of the Green Fairway Amateur Golf Championship in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the one day 18-hole championship held over the weekend took place at the TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja
Ibrahim, playing off handicap 19, returned a gross score of 79 and 60 net to emerge the overall best net winner of the 18-hole championship, which had no fewer than 150 golfers in participation.
An elated Ibrahim said he was happy to have emerged as the winner of the tournament, adding that assisting the less privileged in the society was a passion he is always happy to identify with and promote.
“I feel elated, I feel happy. It is not every day you play a competition and win.
“It’s very difficult to come out tops amongst over 170 golfers who competed in the tournament.
“The tournament itself, which is all about finding a way to assist the less privileged, is something I am also passionate about, and that makes the victory even more exciting for me,” he said.
NAN also reports that Timothy Mike emerged the overall gross winner after playing 69 gross.
In the men’s category one for handicap 0 to 11, Isaac Umoru playing off handicap 4 with 71 gross and 67 net won the best gross prize.
Saturday Otubo, with 73 gross, emerged as best gross winner in the category, while Philip Kuma, playing off handicap 11 with 80 gross and 69 net finished as runner-up net.
In the Ladies category for handicap 0 to 36, Eunice Pam, playing off handicap 17 with 79 gross and 62 net, emerged as the best net winner.
S.J. Marcus, with 82 gross, won the best gross prize, while Ogechukwu Emmanuel finished as runner-up net after playing off handicap 36 with a gross score of 98 and 62 net.
In the Auxiliary award category, Dare Williams and Ogechukwu Emmanuel won the longest drive prize for the men and ladies categories, respectively.
While Francis Okosun and Lizzy Samuel won the nearest to the pin award for the men and ladies categories, respectively.
Also, Jimmy Patrick took home the award for the bravest golfer of the championship.
Ali Peters, the Vice Captain of TYBIGRCC and Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the tournament, said that the goal of the championship was to reach out to the less privileged in the society.
He noted that over 150 golfers participated in the championship, adding that the tournament would be sustained and held on an annual basis.
“This championship was borne because we decided to come up with the concept of giving back to the society.
“We have some less privileged ones here with us and some others who are not here. So, we decided to use this opportunity to raise awareness and also raise funds and support for those we feel need help.
“Some widows and the caddies here at our club fall into this category, and we will be offering the students scholarships after the tournament to enable them further their education.
“I would like to thank the Captain of the club, Maj. Gen. Samson Jiya, who is unavoidably absent today as he had to embark on an impromptu trip.
“I also want to extend my gratitude to the Grand patron, Patron, and Life Patron of the club for their immense contributions to this golf course and in making this event a success,” he said.
Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, who was represented by Hajiya Amina Edu, said she was very passionate about charity and giving to the needy in the society, hence why she decided to identify with the tournament.
“Her Excellency extends her well wishes to the organisers of the 1st Green Fairway Golf Open. But for her busy schedule, she would have been physically present here for the ceremonial tee-off.
“As the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, she is in charge of the market women and very passionate at helping the less privileged, which is why she sent me here to represent her.
“The objective of the tournament shares the same values which she holds dear to her heart, and so the Iyaloja-General will do everything possible to continue to contribute and support the tournament,” she said.
Maj. Gen. D.D Amadu (Rtd) said that golf was one of the greatest games which one can play even at old age, adding that it also brings people of various ages and diverse backgrounds together to unite in support of a common goal.
“It is so gratifying that we have the first Green Fairway Amateur Open here in TYBIGRCC, which has brought so many golfers together for a common purpose of reaching out the less privileged.
“Indeed, playing a top notch tournament of this magnitude in TYBIGRCC means that the club is highly recognised and I hope that the tournament can continue to be held here in many years to come,” he said.(NAN)
