… As ex-first lady, Patience Jonathan, golf enthusiasts eulogize out-going IBB Lady captain, Donli
Clement Chinaka has emerged as the overall winner of the 2025 IBB Lady Captain’s Cup in Abuja which ended on Sunday at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.
Chinaka who played off handicap 16, returned a gross score of 85 and 69 net and beat his closest challenger A. Chigbo on countback to emerge the overall winner of the tourney.
He said winning the tournament’s overall prize was a thing of joy adding that the week-long tournament was one-of-a-kind attributing to the achievements of the outgoing lady captain, Julie Donli.
“I feel very great that I was able to achieve this and winning this very well organised tournament, put to together by our amiable lady captain and her team; the first-of-its-kind in this club, is amazing.
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“The atmosphere was very conducive and I had a good flight too, even though I didn’t play too well at the front nine, but at the back nine, I decided to up my game. It is indeed a thing of joy for me and my teeming supporters that I have won this tournament and I am sure everyone is happy.”
A. Chigbo, who also played off handicap 16, with 85 gross and 69 net finished as runner-up net in the men’s handicap/index (0.5 – 15.7) category while S.M. Bello, playing off handicap 11 with 81 gross and 70 net settled for the second runner-up position in the category.
In the ladies handicap/index (0.5 – 15.7) category, S. Choi, playing off handicap 17 with 90 gross and 73 net emerged as best net, while O. Abangwu and H. Adebayo took home the runner-up and second runner-up prizes respectively.
… As ex-first lady, Patience Jonathan, golf enthusiasts eulogize out-going IBB Lady captain, Donli
Former Nigerian First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has poured encomium on the out-going Lady Captain of IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, Julie Donli.
Jonathan spoke at the 2025 IBB Lady Captain’s Cup tee-off ceremony as well as at the dinner and award night organised in Donli’s honour.
The dinner/award night ceremony was part of a week-long golfing event at the IBB International Golf and Country Club (IBBIGCC), Abuja.
Jonathan said it was a pleasure for her to have been at the club to celebrate a special and hardworking lady captain as well as the talents and dedication of the players and members of the club.
“I sincerely congratulate my dear friend and sister, Lady Captain Dame Julie Donli and the entire members of her team for a successful tournament to mark the end of her tenure.
“As you end your successful tenure as the Lady Captain of this glorious team, I sincerely wish you more success in your new Endeavour. Keep it on. Don’t go and relax. Continue playing and continue to make us proud,” the former first lady said.
She said golf was a game she admired very much because to her, spending time in a green, natural environment, away from the pressures of daily life is the best medicine to reduce stress and improve mental well-being.
She added, “In other words, apart from the social interaction, playing golf makes one physically active and reduce the blood pressure. It is said that, you can tell a lot about someone’s character by playing one round of golf with him or her and we all need this before making friends.
“Again, golfers say that if your previous shot was a disaster, you should forget about it and approach the next shot with a renewed vigor, and this is just what we all need to make success in life.”
President, Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, said the event was a special day to celebrate quality and to celebrate a lady captain who had done so much for the IBB Ladies Golf Section.
“Today, I am standing here on about three caps; first as a lover of golf, a Board of Trustees member of the club and the president of the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF).
“I want to thank the golfing community for choosing to honour Donli in a very special way. A lady who ensured that the club had one of the most active and very effective LGS during her tenure. We feel very proud today of this great lady captain for what she’s done and what she is doing,” he said.
Runsewe also appreciated the former first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan for the vital role she played in ensuring the existence, growth and development of the club.
“Dame Jonathan was indeed instrumental to us securing the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of this great club way back when she was the first lady of the country.
“On behalf of the entire golfing community, I celebrate and thank you for the wonderful support you gave to us. Thank you Donli for giving me the opportunity to thank this great woman of our time.”
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