Ibadan Golf Club (IGC) is set to honour Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde and the former Senate President, Senator David Mark, among others, as part of activities to mark the 30th anniversary of the Club.
Captain of IGC, Mr Ola Ibironke ‘Dudu Heritage’ disclosed this to Tribunesport adding that the Club would also honour founder of Smoking Hill Golf Club, Â Ilara Mokin, Ondo State, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, among others.
He stated that IGC would celebrate some of golf icons and others who have contributed to the development of the game in the country especially at IGC.
“During the 30th anniversary of our Club, we are going to honour individuals who have used their personal resources to make golf prominent in Nigeria, and they include Senator David Mark; Chief Michael Ade-Ojo; founder of MicCom Golf Club, Ada, Osun State, Engineer Tunde Ponle and the founder of Asabari Golf Club, Saki, Oyo State, Honourable Teju Ishola.
“It is not easy to build a golf club and maintain it, we have to encourage and appreciate these people for developing golf in the country at large.
“In abroad, most of these golf courses are owned by cities, though there are a few individuals who own golf clubs, but they are billionaires over there. Here, having a golf course is borne out of passion for the game and not for making money and that is why these few individuals who are helping golf to develop in this country deserve to be honoured.
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“Also, we have the IGC Diamond award which is for people who elevated the status of IGC since inception. They are the ones who have been giving us quality sponsorship because without competitions no golf club can survive, that is what attracts golfers to IGC.
“We have a member of the Board of Trustees, Chief Babajide Olatunde-Agbeja; and the immediate past president, Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, a passionate golfer on the list as well. These are people who have contributed immensely to the growth of golf in this country,” he said.
IGC, according to Ibironke, would also honour former governors in the state, like Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala and the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi, for their contributions to the growth of the Club.