Steve Oma-Ofozor,
Lagos
The 2022 R&A Junior Open Championship commenced on Monday with over a hundred field from across the globe converging on the Monifieth course in Scotland.
Interestingly, Nigeria is ably represented by an emerging star in women’s golf, Iyene Urissa Essien, a US-based, high school golfer, at Taft High School, Watertown, Connecticut.
However, the developmental tournament saw the Nigerian prodigy tied 40 in the opening round on Monday
The opening performance golf commentators have affirmed was encouraging giving the odds that trailed her preparations, poor funding owing to lack of sponsorship.
The paucity of funds was Nigeria’s inability to have more representation according to an inside source, just as the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) was anonymous and helpless, unable to raise funds either from its purse or from the Sport Ministry.
But a chat with Imeh Okon, Iyene’s mother and manager on Monday from Scotland via phone revealed that the teenage golfer made the tournament through ‘self help.’
According to her, “As parents we have to go the extra mile to source for funds to enable Iyene participate in the tournament; no help from the government, but Iyene is happy to fly Nigeria’s flag among other nations in Scotland.
“Golf is a game the little girl loves with passion; we (father and mother) will stand by her to realise her dream in the game,” she stated.
The event will end on Wednesday July 13 and all players and accompanying officials will have a chance to watch The Open Championship on July 15 and depart to their various destinations July 16.
