Runsewe hails Oboh on US invitational triumph

President of Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe (OON), has commended Nigeria’s female golf sensation, Georgia Oboh, on her recent victory at the John Shippen Women’s Invitational in Michigan, U.S.A.

Oboh, 23, captured the 2024 John Shippen Women’s Invitational and earned exemptions to compete in two LPGA tournaments, the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give and the Dow Championship.

With the victory, Oboh will tee it up alongside the world’s best female golfers at the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give starting June 13 after shooting 69-70—139 on the same course to earn a three-stroke victory at the SHIPPEN event. 

Runsewe, in a statement made available to Sporting Tribune in Abuja, described 

Oboh’s victory as an inspiration to others back home and a testament to the fact that hard work pays

“Congratulations to our very own Georgia Oboh on your well-deserved victory at the John Shippen Women’s Invitational at Blythefield Country Club in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Your victory is indeed a fulcrum of great possibilities and renewed hope for Nigeria and Nigerians.

“We believe in you to keep the Nigerian flag flying high and keep doing your very best to ensure that you represent our dear country as a good ambassador of the game of golf,” Runsewe said.

Another Nigerian female pro golfer, Anita Uwadia, tied for third position with United States’ Ashley Shaw in the same tournament, making it the first time in an international professional Ladies’ Golf Tournament where two Nigerians made the top three.

Runsewe, while assuring that the federation would continue to support the golfers to ensure that they reach their full potential as they continue to make the country proud and showcase themselves to the world, also advised parents to always support and encourage their children to start playing golf at an early age.

“Hand your child a golf club, and you might be surprised what happens. Your child might not be the next Tiger Woods, but golf can make a big impact in their young life.

“Kids can benefit from the sport mentally, physically, and emotionally. The sport can set them up for success as they get older. Many of the skills learned on the course translate to real life,” the golf federation boss stated.

Sporting Tribune reports that the John Shippen Women’s Invitational (named after John Shippen Jnr, who was both the first American-born golf professional and the country’s first black golf professional) is a series of competitions created to provide playing opportunities on the LPGA Tour and PGA Tour for the top black amateur and professional women and men golfers.