By Steve Oma-Ofozor
The Professional Golfers Association (PGA) of Nigeria has taken a step further to improve women participation in golf at the professional level in the country.
This is as a special edition of the 2021/2022 PGA Qualifying School, specifically for women with the theme, “Women Inclusiveness,” will be holding at the Henry Seriaki Dickson Golf Club, Yenagoa, Beyelsa State capital from Sunday May 22-27; May 22 is arrival and registration day for participants.
However, the novel event in the history of the PGA Nigeria, will be officially declared open by the first lady of Bayelsa State, Her Excellency, Dr (Mrs) Gloria Diri on Monday May 23 at 10:00 a.m. just as the day’s event will be rounded off with official practice.
In the tradition of the PGA Nigeria Qualifying School, participants will undertake theory and practical exams – the classroom work and playing ability is from May 24 -26, while the amateurs game – 18 holes – and presentation at 4:00 p.m
will conclude the event on Friday May 27.
This development is in line with the present PGA Nigeria executive’s resolve to take Nigeria’ professional golf to the next level under the leadership of Dr Tony Philmoore.
Invariably, PGA Nigeria Secretary Jide Bolaji who spoke with SOKOnnect said that the association’s main thrust was to improve and increase women participation in Nigerian golf in line with global standard.
“PGA Nigeria for the first time is organising a special Qualifying School exercise for women; this is because the Association has deemed it necessary to include women in the scheme of things and then increase and improve their participation positively and actively in golf at the professional level like their counterparts in other climes.
“This means they will have to be trained, not only as players but also as coaches and in other administrative areas of the game; you will agree with me that a woman can do better in coaching a woman than a man, just as a woman can also do better to bring women into the game than a man,” the Secretary explained.
In this regard, the Secretary revealed that seasoned and experienced PGA professionals have been appointed into the board of examiners for an independent conduct of the exams, while
“transparency and strict adherence to rules and guidelines shall be dully followed.”
As at the time of filing this report, about 30 ladies have purchased form for the exercise as more are expected to queue in before the event tees off.
