No fewer than 250 top amateur golfers are participating in the seventh edition of the Sovereign Trust Insurance Golf Tournament which holds on Saturday and Sunday in Ibadan.
Olumide Oyediran, the Captain of Ibadan Golf Club, said at a news conference in Ibadan on Friday that the golfers were drawn from various parts of the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the tournament is sponsored by Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc.
Among the golfers expected are Olusegun Daniel of Ikoyi Golf Club, Muyiwa Adebusuyi and Ahmed Sulaiman from IGC, Samson Arowolo from Abeokuta Golf Club, among others.
Oyediran, represented at the news conference by Ade Sunmonu, a retired Colonel and IGC’s First Vice-Captain, lauded the insurance company for its contributions towards making golf a popular sport in Nigeria.
He said: “Golf is not a popular game in Nigeria. We appreciate the efforts of companies like Sovereign Trust whose contributions have changed the trend for the game to be popular.
“Our government needs to do more for the game of golf in the country. It is a game that can earn people a living, boost tourism and generate revenue.”
In the same vein, Nduka Bernard, Secretary of the tournament’s Planning Committee, said the tournament would feature amateur open and professionals events.
He said: “The competition will feature 0-14 handicap (Gross Plus/Nett), 15-28 handicap (Guest) and Veterans above 60 years. The professional level is restricted to the home-based golfers.”
Bernard said gross and nett winners at the tournament would go home with good prizes and souvenirs.
Meanwhile, Segun Bankole, the Head of Corporate Communications and Brand Management at Sovereign Trust Insurance, said the company’s intervention and collaboration was aimed at opening up new opportunities.
Bankole said: “It is one of our ways of giving back to the society and it also open up new opportunities with golf clubs in Nigeria. It is a continuous relationship and we will uphold it.
“We want to see the Sovereign Trust Golf Tourney on the international calendar. This will also help in exposing our brand to the world. We appreciate the media for their support always.”
Bankole added also that the tournament’s seventh edition would feature pre-tournament medical check-ups.
NAN reports that the events will end on Sunday.
