The 63rd Nigeria Independence Anniversary Golf tournament which started Monday last week, climaxed on Sunday night with the announcement of the winners of different categories.
Philip Joe Poroma of the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja emerged the overall winner of the 63rd Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary Golf event.
The handicap 14 amateur golfer played 80 gross with the nett of 66 to outplay over 500 other players to win the converted trophy.
He was also decorated with the green jacket and carted away the star prize, PAN car.
“I am highly elated to emerge the winner of this year’s event. Though I had the dream and I worked tirelessly for it, but am still surprised. I however dedicate the trophy to Nigeria, my country.
“I also salute all the participants of this year’s event for their doggedness, but I want to say it can be only one winner and is me”, Poroma boasted.
Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh who teed off the grand finale of the Independence Golf Tournament described golf as a lovely game and applauded the passion, commitment and consistency of the club for hosting the yearly event, pointed out that sports breeds social inclusiveness, enables diplomacy amongst countries, fosters friendship and business networks .
Results of the Inter-countries match-play show that Nigeria defeated Uganda by 8 and half to 6 and half in the double. In the double match-play again Cameroon, Nigeria scored 5 and half as against their opponent with one and half. In the singles, Nigeria outplayed Cameroon by scoring 15 and half as against 3 and half.
It was victory all the way for the host who won the double match play by 13 and half to 3 and half against Ghana, and 19 and half to 10 and half in Singles.
The host Captain, Dr Olabanjo Obaleye was full of praise to all who makes the event successful. While thanking the organizing committee as well as different sponsors, Obaleye said this year’s tournament will go down in the history as most attended by foreign countries.
In his own submission, the chairman, 63rd Nigeria Independence Anniversary Golf tournament organizing committee and Vice Captain of the Club, Ibrahim Babayo said Golf is becoming a big foreign policy to a lot of countries and Nigeria cannot afford to sit back and watch.
” Currently the Ryder cup is going on in Rome, you can see how the world are focussing their attentions in that city. We are also trying to partner with FCT to make Nigeria a golfing destination. We have excellent golf course here that can compete with anyone in the world. We are trying to make International community to know that we have such facilities.
So they can come and play golf and also doing their businesses in Nigeria” Babayo said.
Representatives of the participating countries salute the organizers for an excellent outing both in the organisation and performance.
Highlights of the day presentation of Trophies and prizes to various winners as well as cutting anniversary cake.
