By Pwanagba Agabus, Jos
The Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) said Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State is to become the first brand identity of Golf in Nigeria.
The Governor who is the Life Vice President of Golf in the Country, is been recognised for his immense contribution to the development of the sport in Nigeria.
This was disclosed by the NGF President, Otunba Segun Runsewe, at the closing ceremony of the ProAm Golf Tournament 2022, organised by Rayfield Golf Club 1913, in Jos, the Plateau State Capital.
The ProAm tournament which lasted 7 days had Kamilu Bako of Kano Golf Club as the overall winner.
Runsewe said, “Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State will be the first brand identity of Golf in Nigeria; its going to be called SBL Golf; that is how they celebrate the best anywhere in the world, and we must start to do it in Nigeria.
“When this document is signed, I will bring it back to give it to Governor Lalong; and the symbol of that SBL Golf will be on the biggest trophy here at Rayfield Golf Club 1913.
“Also, we are going to look for some of those that played, and their names are on the biggest trophy.
“We must bring them to Plateau and build a new synergy of golf tourism, which would be first of its kind”, he explained.
The NGF President maintained that, ” What Nigerians don’t know is that, one appearance of Tiger Woods, will turnaround the economy of that sector.
“Tiger Woods, a world renown golfer, was to appear in Dubai, but he couldn’t make it, Woods cancelling his trip led to the cancellation of 75percent of hotels booked, because the man they want to see is Tiger!
“We have Tiger playing over there, we have our Tiger as a Governor projecting and promoting the best of golf in Nigeria.
“So, see this Governor as a Tiger of sports development in this country”, he stressed.
On the development of academy golf in the country, Runsewe commended Governor Lalong for his strides, saying” Plateau is the only State in Nigeria, that the governor is supporting academy golf.
According to him, “Over 66 percent of children that play golf in this country are from Plateau State, and all this is through the efforts of the State governor”.
In his remarks, Governor Lalong paid glowing tribute to some deceased members of the Rayfield Golf Club 1913, who had set the pace in reviving the fortunes of the club; which include the likes of Gen. Domkat Bali, Gen. John Shagaya, Gen. Dogonyaro, Ben Pasa, among others.
He commended the NGF President for selling the Club and other golf clubs to the world.
Speaking on the academy golfers, Lalong said, “At the last National Sports Festival, almost all the precious gold medals in golf came from Plateau State.
According to him, some of the academy graduates are turning professionals, as the state continues to groom younger golfers.
The Governor assured that the State is doing all it can to keep the academy golf players happy, so that they can win more laurels for the state, especially in the forthcoming National Sports Festival bill for Delta State.
“We will not allow other States to poach our players”, he stressed.
Recall that about 400 professional and amateur golfers graced the 2022 ProAm tournament which was the first of its kind to be hosted by Rayfield Golf Club 1913, attracted golfers from across the 36 States of the federation and the FCT.
Earlier in his welcome address, Captain of Rayfield Golf Club 1913, Air Commodore Lazarus Mshelia (rtd) said in the Club’s 109 years existence, it was the first time it had 18 green holes.
According to him, “This is the first Golf Club established by the colonial masters in Nigeria, in 1913.
“This tournament was hosted specifically because of the commissioning of the eighteen holes green and the redesigning of the golf course, and the commissioning was done by former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon.
He commended Governor Lalong for the redesigning of the golf course and taking the Club to greater height.
The tournament was graced by the Deputy Governor of Edo State, the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, among others.
