One of the top-rated Nigerian golfers and member of the Ibadan Golf Club (IGC), Ahmed Sulaiman was last Saturday crowned the champion of Seye Omisore birthday Golf Tournament.
The tournament which was organised by IGC saw no fewer than 20 professional golfers and 186 amateur golfers compete in the different categories.
The tournament also attracted former deputy governor of Osun State, Chief Iyiola Omisore and a former Lagos State deputy governor, Femi Pedro, among others.
Sulaiman, ‘Champion of the champions’ as he is fondly called by his admirers, emerged the winner after he played 71 Gross and 65 Net.
The six handicaper said he was a happy man for winning the tournament.
He charged the Federal Government to see to the area of developing golf as the game has been introduced at the Olympic level.
“I think this is another milestone in my golfing career, this game has really helped me, especially in terms of physical and mental fitness. I will forever be grateful to a friend, Mr Diran Bello, who introduced me to the game.
“Every golfer has a lot of targets in the sense of playing hard and winning trophies and I really thank God that I’m ending this year’s golfing calendar with trophies.
“We need the government to come out and support golfers financially even if they don’t want to give any club money, they should come and inspire corporate organisations to sponsor regular tournaments that would help professional golfers as well as amateurs to realise their dreams in the game.
In his address, the Captain of IGC, Barrister Idowu Salami, lauded Omisore who he described as a philanthropist par excellence.
“He is a fantastic golfer who despite his advanced age (70) is still a category two player. Chief Omisore epitomises the gentleman’s game of golf, he is a delight to watch on the golf course, his endurance is second to none because golfers who have played with him would readily attest to his many virtues.
“God has been using him to change the destinies of many people. Words alone are not enough to describe him whose support over the years to IGC are unquantifiable.”
In his remarks, Omisore said he had no regrets dumping squash for golf as the game has really changed him for better.
“Golf is life, meaningful and it is a special game compared to other sporting events. It makes you to be fit, golf is also a game of life.
“Football has made it in Nigeria, athletes have also made it in Nigeria but golf has not been there. Golf boosts tourism. Tourists come to play golf and if you have golf courses easily available to Nigerians, starting from primary school then, we can produce our own Tiger Woods here and more Mikel Obis of Nigerian football.”
“In golf, you don’t have to win, all you need to do is to be within the top 10 all the times then, you can make 10m dollars at the end of the year, that is for professional golfers.
“We have talents in Nigeria but no opportunity for them to showcase their talents and we don’t have enough golf courses and sponsors as well. I urged the Federal Government to encourage some private companies to sponsor at least one Open {tournament} called Nigerian Open, RCC Open, Telecommunications how much is N5 million, N10 million to sponsor a golf Open? It can be deducted from their tax as this would encourage the pros to play,” Omisore explained.
Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC), Aare Muyiwa Omisade thanked all participants saying the passion of Omisore for golf is legendary as this is evident in the impressive turn out of participants.
Pro Emeka Obi went home with the cash prize of N120,000 after his victory in the professional category.
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