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 and award ceremony held on Monday night occurred at the TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja.
Ibrahim, playing off handicap 19 posted a gross score of 79 and 60 net to emerge the overall best net winner of the 18 hole championship.
Ibrahim, who was happy to have emerged winner of the tournament, said that assisting the less privileged in the society was a passion he is always happy to identify with and promote.
He said: “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, 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.”
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 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 category.
Francis Okosun and Lizzy Samuel won the nearest to the pin award for the men and ladies category.
Also, Jimmy Patrick took home the award for the bravest golfer of the championship.
Ali Peters, 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 said that over 150 golfers participated in the championship, adding that the tournament would be sustained and held annually.
“This championship was born because we decided to come up with the concept of giving back to society.
“We have some less privileged ones here with us and some others who are not here. So, we decided to raise awareness and raise funds to support those we feel need help.
“Some widows and the caddies here at our club fall into this category, 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,” he said.
Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria was represented by Hajiya Amina Edu.
She said was very passionate about charity and giving to the needy in the society, hence why she decided to identify with the tournament.
“Tinubu-Ojo extends her well wishes to the organisers of the 1st Green Fairway Golf Open. But for her busy schedule, she would have been physically for the ceremonial tee-off.
“As the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, she is very passionate about 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. She will do everything possible to continue to support the tournament,” she said.
Retired Major-Gen. D.D. Amadu said that golf was one of the greatest games which one can play even at old age.
He said it 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 to the less privileged.
“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)
