Charles Ajibaye on Sunday won the fifth Seyi Makinde Women Support Pro-Am Golf tournament which was held at the Ibadan Golf Club (IGC), Onireke, Ibadan.
Ajibaye, the 9 handicapper from IGC won the tournament with 158 Gross and 140 Net over the two days.
Oche Andrew Odoh from IBB Golf Club won in the professional category, while Chief Seye Omisore emerged victorious in the IGC Men’s category after he played the Gross of 172 and 146 Net.
Nigeria’s women’s number one golfer, Evelyn Oyome declared the winner of the Ladies Gross with 167 Gross while IGC Lady Captain, Folashade Oni, claimed the IGC Ladies winner with 200 Gross and 160 Net.
Speaking, sponsor of the tournament, Governor Seyi Makinde said the idea behind the tournament was promote the game of golf and encourage the younger ones to play the game.
He said he was satisfied with the turnout having put IGC on the golf map in Nigeria and the world as a whole.
He said the tournament has nothing to do with politics as it’s going to be a yearly event.
“Last year, I made a promise to turn the tournament to Pro-Am and that promise has been fulfilled as Pro-Am will continue next year,” Makinde stated as he thanked all the participants saying ‘next year’s edition will be better.”
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Captain IGC, Col. Ade Sunmonu (retd) called on government at all levels to show more commitment to sports development in the country.
He said that apart from football, the government has not been supporting other sporting events in the country particularly golf as it should be.
Sunmonu lauded the contributions of governor Makinde to sports development as a philanthropist, as he expressed optimism that his administration would support sports development in the state.
“I salute our sponsor, Governor Seyi Makinde for his unwavering commitment, to the sponsorship of this tournament since 2015. Your sponsorship of this tournament is not only about women empowerment. It is also about youth empowerment, medical benefits, economic benefits, and tourism in Ibadan and Oyo State.
“There are over a thousand guests in Ibadan between Monday to Sunday for the Makinde Golf Championship among which are participants and others. Many of these guests from across the country patronise hotels, markets and tourist sites in the state which will no doubt contribute to the state’s economy,” he said.
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Initiator of the tournament, Mrs Ronke Adepetu said the aim of the competition was to support Makinde, who had promised to ensure 36 per cent slot for women in his cabinet during his electioneering.
“We initiated the championship in 2015 to support Makinde’s gesture for women in the state. We appreciate him on this because it has always been our agitation for long.
“Makinde is a lover of sports. He is a philanthropist, golfer and has always supported sports development in all ramifications,” Adepetu said.
One of the participants and the Captain of MicCom and Country Club, Ada, Alhaji Akeem Afolabi also thanked the sponsor for his gesture towards golf development, just as he urged corporate bodies to imbibe the idea of governor Makinde to invest in the game of golf.