AMINA ANEBI, Kaduna
The First International 2022 Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim Golf Club Jaji Professional/Amateur (Pro-Am) Golf Tournament officially kicked off on Saturday with 70 professionals, 300 amateurs present.
Also, several dignitaries attended the ceremony from across the country.
The Commandant, Armed Forces Command Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji and Grand Patron of Jaji Golf Club, AVM Olurotomi Anthony Tunwase, who in an interview with sport writers shortly after the tee-off ceremony, said a beautiful tournament began February 1, to end 6.
“You can see the weather is fine, everyone is here to compete. We are certain with this tee-off, we will have a beautiful game and swell time,” he said.
Also speaking, Commander, Infantry Corps, Jaji, Major General V.O. Ezugwu, described sport as a unifying factor.
“Sport brings about peace; people from all over Nigeria are here. We will make friends and enjoy our game,” he said.
For the Director-General, Research Abuja, Major General Godwin Umelo, he said besides the victory of the winners, the game of golf brings other benefits.
“Sport is a unifying factor in Nigeria. People of different tribes and religions have converged here. There are other benefits outside winning that golf can bring,” he said.
In his remarks, a former Commandant of AFCSC, AVM Yinka Alade (rtd), said the club’s hosting of the pro-am is a dream come true.
“Before I left, we conceived this idea and we are happy it is bearing fruit.
“Coincidentally, the tee-off comes up on my birthday. I like what I am seeing here. The essence of the game is to exercise. You can play golf to any age,” he said.
Immediate past Captain of Jaji Golf Club, Colonel Nicholas Ashinze, said that although the course at the club is challenging, the professionals that are participating are enjoying the greens.
“This is first-ever Pro-Am we are organising. It is a dream come true with my successor being able to achieve this. We have the best greens here and we have a very challenging course; even the pros can attest to this,” he said.
Representative of Professional Golfers Association (PGA), Mike Aluka, explained that the Pros finished playing their tournament on Friday.
“I believe today’s would be a great game,” he said.
Speaking further, he said that golf is improving in Nigeria.
“In the past, people used to think golf was for the old or the rich. That era is no longer there and golf courses are springing up,” he added.
Captain of Jaji Golf Club, Commander Joseph Shaibu, when speaking, said that the Pro-Am was initiated by him to put the club on the world map.
“I initiated the Pro-Am tournament; people thought it was not going to be possible, considering the huge financial burden required. It has been successful. We have 67 pro-golfers and over 300 amateurs participating.
“I am excited by the unprecedented turnout. When I started this journey, it wasn’t easy. I wrote over 300 letters, but by God’s grace, all the support we got were from the Armed Forces with none coming from the corporate organisations,” he revealed.
Speaking further, he stressed that the intention is to put the club on the world map.
“We want to put Ola Sa’ad Golf Club Jaji on the golf map. We want to make the Pro-Am an annual event,” he assured.
While fielding questions, Tina Micah, one of first lady professional golfers in Nigeria and first lady pro in the North, described the experience at Ola Sa’ad Golf Club Jaji as great.
“My experience was great, the course is wonderful, I played for three days from Wednesday to Friday and it was great.
“Golf is a game of challenge and I thank God I won the ladies pro.
“Gone are the days we say it is a game of men, now top females are playing all over the world,” she enthused.
Tina, who has been playing golf for 17 years, said that she started as an amateur but through hard work, is now a professional, playing across the world.
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State was represented at the tee-off by his Commissioner of Works, Mr Botmang Pam.