150 golferss to storm Ibadan for Sovereign Trust Insurance Open
NAN-S-5
Golf
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, May 11, 2017(NAN) No fewer than 150 golfers from across Nigeria are expected in Ibadan for Sovereign Trust Insurance Open Tournament scheduled to hold at the Ibadan Golf Course.
Mr Idowu Salami, the Captain, Ibadan Golf Club (IGC)disclosed at a news conference held at the Ibadan Golf Club on Thursday evening to herald the tournament.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament, which was the 5th edition, will hold from May 12 to 14 at the Ibadan Golf Club course.
NAN reports that the tournament starts on Friday with a cocktail, while the tournament commences will tee-off on Saturday while the closing ceremony holds on May 13.
Salami said that the tournament, which was solely sponsored by Sovereign Trust Insurance Company would gulp less than six million naira.
He stated that the company had since the first open pledged to make it an annual one, adding that they have been committed and consistent to the pledge.
According to him, “prior to the commencement of this tournament five years ago, it was christened Insurance Open and the company pledged to carve a niche for itself by sponsoring it.
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“When we came on board, they did inform us that the tournament will be an annual one. This weekend, Ibadan will be host to over 150 golfers, both professional and amateur across Nigeria.
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“Professionals, that is the zero handicappers, will slug it out on Friday and over 150 amateur golfers in the handicaps 1 to 28 category will have their tee-off on Saturday.’’
Salami said the tournament would have professional golfers compete for cash prizes, while the amateurs compete for golf-related prizes ranging from golf kits, deep freezers, refrigerator among others.
He said that the number of professionals to feature in the tournament could not be ascertained, adding there are resident professionals who will invite their colleagues from across the country.
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“The tournament is expected to draw doyens of the Insurance companies, prominent Nigerian golfers and hosts of golf enthusiasts,’’ he said.
Salami said t the tournament had brought reciprocal benefits to both IGC and the company since its beginning.
Mr Segun Bankole, the representative of company said that the tournament was conceived five years ago by the company to own spaces in the minds of Nigerians.
Bankole, the Supervisor, Corporate Communications and Brand Management of the company, stated that the tournament had witnessed lots of improvement from the first open.
He assured the golfers that the fifth edition would come out big and better, in spite of the current economic challenges in the country.
“We have several Corporate Social Responsibilities strategies which we have done in the health, sport sectors to mention few. We see this as our way of giving back to the community.
“I believe these initiatives have given us more value and glory,’’ he said.
(NAN)
TAA/YAZ