Dr (Mrs) Gloria Diri, wife of the Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has commended the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) of Nigeria for considering the inclusion of women into the professional golfing cadre in Nigeria as she thumbs up the new lady professionals for their performance.
The First Lady made the statement on Friday at the end of the 2021/2022 Qualifying School examination which held at the Henry Seriaki Dickson Golf and Country Club (HSDGCC) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.
Appreciating the qualified lady profeeionals she said, “Something that tickled me most in the year’s Qualify School examination is the theme which is, “Women Inclusiveness,’ it affirms that women are being recognised and are being carried along in the scheme of things.”
“I urged the PGA of Nigeria therefore not to relent in its efforts at moving the game of golf forward in Nigeria; I to assure you that the PGA is always welcomed to Bayelsa State for tournaments.
“For the new lady professionals, I urge you to be a good ambassadors of the game and your country as you can now go beyond the shores of Nigeria for professional tournaments; hence, you must avoid anything that will bring disrepute to the game and the association; I wish you the best of luck,” she said.
Earlier, Dr Tony Philmoore, the PGA of Nigeria Executive Director represented by Uchenna Ezebuiro, the Operations Director commended the First Lady as well as the State Governor, Senator Douye, for supporting the association in developing golf in Nigeria.
“Words cannot be enough to thank Her Excellency, the First Lady and Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, for the immense support of PGA Nigeria and golf development in Nigeria; we appreciate you so much and pray you to keep it up,” he said.
Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of the award to the best student in the Qualifying School examination, Bola Mustapha of Ikoyi Golf Club, Lagos by the First Lady of Bayelsa State, Dr. (Mrs) Diri.
The best student, Mustapha, was also presented with a set of golf bag by Oyintonfie Ritchie Etonye, the Captain of Henry Seriaki Dickson Golf and Country Club (HSDGCC), Yenagoa.
However, ‘Pro’ Mustapha commended the PGA of Nigeria for providing the women a platform of “inclusiveness” to express themselves as professional golfers adding, “The PGA of Nigeria women professionals will ensure the game grow better to make the association proud.”
It would be recalled that the PGA of Nigeria 2021/2022 Qualifying School examination commenced activities from May 22-27; the event had 17 women who slugged it out in the classroom work and playing ability, but only 10 made it.
Other personalities of the association present at the occasion included Johnbull Dangofa, Tournament Director; Sugun Obamuwe, Finance Director; Mike Alika, General Manager among others.
