Steve Oma-Ofozor
Lagos
The 2021/2022 PGA of Nigeria Qualifying School examination for women is come and gone but the memories will linger on as one of the most challenging exercise in the association’s history in recent times.
This accounts for one of the reasons Hannah Obadina of Tiger Golf Club Ibadan wept profusely before the PGAN examiners and other participants on the news that she qualified after a rigorous three days rounds of swinging and putting as well as classroom work at the Henry Seriaki Dickson Golf and Country Club (HSDGCC), Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.
A total of 10 players were needed by the PGA of Nigeria to move into the professional cadre out of the 17 students that were able participate and Obadina was 10th in a tie with the 9th student with a remarkable score of 56.5%.
In an exclusive chat with SOKOnnect she revealed in an emotion laden voice that her free-flowing tears on the day-three after the result was released was, “tears of joy.”
Preparatory to the Qualifying School examination according to Obadina, “I gave so much to ensure I qualified as a professional when the opportunity was thrown up for women by the PGA of Nigeria.”
“I traveled to as far as Port Harcourt in Rivers State for training; I abandoned businesses and other developments that I have at hand then; all because I know what I was pursuing and the worth of it.
“ln all of these sacrifices, the commentary from the sideline was enough discouragement, but I refused to be discouraged which again, was one of the reasons I have to leave my immediate environment so that I can concentrate properly; but today, I’m a golf professional – Pro Hannah Obadina – to God be the glory,; that’s the reason I wept – to wash away the pains for joy to flow,” she said excitedly.
Against this background, the exciting, bulky, outspoken lady who started playing golf in 2004 affirmed, “Becoming a (PGA) professional golfer really meant alot to me; it’s one step forward for me as golfer.”
On the way forward she said, “I will do my very best to ensure the game is developed within my locality and the state at large to bring more women into the game and also groom the younger ones in the game among other things to happen as we march on.”
However, Obadina did not end the chat without a word of advice for those who could not sail through the exercise.
“I will advise those who couldn’t qualify that it’s not over yet; they should lose hope not to should not lose hope, but they should rather keep practicing hard and try next time; because hard work pays,” she said.
She concluded by commending the PGA of Nigeria for providing the platform for the women to assert themselves which is another way of relegating gender inequality to the background.
