By Victor Okoye
Abuja, July 18, 2023 (NAN) Olabanjo Obaleye, the Captain of the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja on Tuesday said the 2023 Inaugural Captain’s tournament would mark an era of new developments for the club.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2023 Captain’s Inaugural tournament is expected to tee-off on Wednesday at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.
No fewer than 400 golfers and 100 tennis players are set to take part in the event expected to end on Saturday.
Obaleye told newsmen during a pre-tournament press conference that the event would usher in the beginning of a new era that would bring in alot of innovations into the club.
“Abuja is the Federal capital city of Nigeria. So, this club should carry that image by being the best.
“This club should be able to compete favourably with the best of the golf courses anywhere in the world.
“We know we have alot of challenges in the area of capacity, but I can assure you that many things are being put in place now to ensure that the club measure up to world standard,” he said.
Obaleye expressed his gratitude to the chairman and members of the organising committee for all their efforts towards ensuring the hosting of a very successful event.
He explained that even though the tournament was tagged the ‘Captain’s Inaugural’, it is however not just for him alone, but also for all the Executive Committee members, to usher in the new administration.
Chris Jemitola, the Chairman, Organising Committee of the tournament noted that the event was in honour of Olabanjo Obaleye, the newly inaugurated Captain of the club.
Jemitola said the tournament promises to be one of the best ever organised by the club because of the calibre of the new captain, with alot of sponsors eager to be a part of the event.
He added that no fewer than 400 golfers and 100 tennis players from across the country and beyond were expected to participate in the week-long tournament.
He said plans were underway to stage a very successful outing as a way of supporting the newly constituted leadership of the club.
“The tournament will officially usher in Obaleye as the 26th captain of our prestigious golf club.
“The golf tournament will tee-off on Wednesday with the pros taking to the course, while Thursday is meant for handicaps 19 to 54 as well as the veterans (ladies and men).
“Handicaps 11 to 18 (ladies and men) will play on Friday, followed by a cocktail event in the evening to round up activities for the day.
“We will have our ceremonial tee-off on Saturday, followed by more golf action by players in the category of handicaps 0 to 10, with the dinner and awards/prize presentation to close the event,” he said.
Shola Adebayo, the Competition Secretary, noted that the course was in good playing condition ahead of the tournament and prayed for good weather during the duration of the event.
“The IBB Golf and Country Club boast of one the best courses in the country, hence the high number of golfers who have expressed their interest to participate in the tournament.
“It can easily be classified as the best golf club in Nigeria and so much work has been done to make the course very beautiful, kudos to the new captain and his team.
“For the tournament proper, we have the tennis section with three categories of event, including the men singles, women singles and the veterans.
“For the golf tournament, the format would be based on stroke play with three handicap levels as well as the pros participating.
“The tennis tournament served off on Monday, while the pros will take to the course on Wednesday, followed by other handicap levels with the ceremonial tee-off on Saturday,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
