The current champion of the Bar and Bench Golf tourney and Insurance Open, Olajide Owolabi on Sunday made history at the Ibadan Golf Club (IGC), as he won the 6th Sovereign Trust Golf Open.
The victory completes the treble by Owolabi within a month.
Owolabi from Abeokuta Golf Club, who is playing handicap 0 won the Sovereign Trust Open with 149 Gross over the two days ahead of Abiodun Oyewoga from Sagamu Golf Club who played 153 Gross. Both players are being sponsored by MEGAMOUND.
Alfa Sanusi who played 74 Gross won the pro category ahead of Emeka Obi and Monday Daniel who played 77 and 78 Gross respectively.
In the female category, Nigeria’s number one, Evelyn Oyome showed supremacy ahead of Alaba Olatunji while Chief Babajide Olatunde-Agbeja clinched the Insurance staff prize. Folasade Ajala of Ogbomoso Golf Club emerged victorious in the Net category ahead of Alhaja Otolola Adesiyan and Anne Oladejo.
The male champion, Owolabi, attributed his success largely to the motivation from the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, MEGAMOUND, Otunba Olumide Osunsina aside his level commitment to the game.
“The secret is that I always take this game seriously whenever I have an opportunity to participate in any tournament. I visit range in order to improve my game and train well ahead of any tournament.
The MEGAMOUND sponsorship also gives my career a boost because I can now concentrate mainly on practice instead of looking for money to participate in tournaments. My feeding, accommodation and transport expenses are being paid by MEGAMOUND now same with Oyewoga who came second having won the Open last year.
“I need to reward my sponsor by winning as many tournaments as I can and my aim is to participate in WAG Tour with the help of my sponsor,” an elated Owolabi told Tribunesports.
In his address, Captain of IGC, Barrister Idowu Salami lauded the commitment of the Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc (STI) towards the growth of golf in the country.
He said the tournament has become a watershed in the annals of golf competitions not only at IGC, but also at both national and international amateur competitions in terms of participation covering national spread, as it also ranked amongst the largest corporately-sponsored events within the golfing circle.
“The desire to perpetuate this epoch event was ignited at the inaugural Sovereign Trust Open golf tournament about six years ago. This unbroken promise kept over the years despite the change in the management leadership. STI not only stand out this tournament but also defines STI as a solid corporate entity clothed with inherent mechanisms for unhindered growth and development.”
In his remarks, the Managing Director, STI Plc, Mr Olaotan Soyinka represented by the company Head of Corporate Communications/Brand Management, Segun Bankole said STI has consistently shown avowed commitment to the promotion of sports and the development of recreational activities of this nature.
“We will remain true to our commitment of sponsoring the tournament in perpetuity as part of our contributions to the development of golf and sports generally in the country. We are proud to be associated with IGC brand and what it represents in the large society.
“As a socially responsible corporate entity, we will as much as the opportunities avail us continue to support and promote sporting excellence and qualitative recreation both locally and internationally,” he said.