NAN-H-43 Golf By Akeem Abas Ibadan, Feb. 25, 2018(NAN) Owolabi Olajide on Sunday evening emerged the overall winner of the 5th Insurance Golf Open held at Ibadan Golf Club(IGC).
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Olajide emerged overall winner with a gross of 152 while Emeka Obi emerged winner of the professional category with a gross of 74.
Olajide, who is a staff of Ogun State Sports Council, is also member of the Abeokuta Golf Club.
NAN reports that Desire Bello from Ibadan Golf Club (IGC) emerged overall runner-up with a gross of 154, while Alfa Sanusi emerged runner-up in the professional category with a gross of 76.
Ayoola Ojo from Golf Insurance Broker and Dayo Alao carted home the Insurance Staff Prizes, having emerged winner and runner-up respectively.
Ojo in handicap 17 won with a gross of 193 and net of 159, while Alao in handicap 28 emerged runner-up with a gross of 221 and net of 165.
Olajide told newsmen that he started the game as a caddy and trained for five years.
“I started the game of golf in 2006 and represented Ogun State at the National Sports Festival held in Kaduna same year where I returned home with three medals.
“I am grateful to God for my emergency as the overall winner in this tournament and I hope to improve on the performance to win more tournaments,” he said.
Otunba Olumide Osunsina, Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, MEGAMOUND, described golf as the number one sports in the world.
Osunsina, who is a promoter of golf, encouraged youths to participate in the game, saying it was a way out of poverty and unemployment.
“We are sponsoring winners of golf tournaments as a way of investing in the youths. These young men are doing very well and they need sponsors to take them to the top.
“This is why MEGAMOUND is coming in to sponsor them as a way of giving back to the society,” he said.
Mr Idowu Salami, the Captain of IGC, said the tournament had significant input from many insurance companies in spite of the current economic challenges.
He expressed gratitude to the insurance companies who had consistently kept faith in terms of sponsoring the tournament.
Salami commended the courage of participants who added glamour to the event, saying he was positive that they all enjoyed themselves both on and off the course.
Earlier, Chief Babajide Olatunde-Agbeja, the Organising Committee Chairman, had expressed appreciation to the sponsors for their commitment toward the success of the event.
Olatunde-Agbeja, who is also an Insurance broker, stated that many of his colleagues in the profession had taken to the game of golf due to the competition.
“Every year, someone tells me that he or she has taken up the challenge of playing golf.
“This tournament has become a huge success and I can assure you that more colleagues will join at the next edition,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the tournament would continue with the level of enthusiasm received from the insurance industry. (NAN)
TAA/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)