Professor Brown Ejikeme, a former Captain of Abakaliki Golf Club (AGC) and present member of the club’s management committee has applauded the successful hosting of the just concluded first ever Abakaliki Ladies Open Championship.
The Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Ebonyi State University/Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki believes the leadership of Enene Fonne, the Lady Captain has further elevated the credibility of the Club.
Recalled the event which held between November 4-6, 2021 had about 150 participants from across the country with Amina Wilfred of IBB Golf Club, Abuja emerging the first Champion of the Abakaliki Ladies Open.
In this regard, the medical practitioner whose tenure as AGC Captain between 2019 and 2021, witnessed the establishment of the Ladies Section in November 2020 enthused, “It was a thing of joy that the Lady Captain, Fonne, was able to put her acts together for the success of the championship.”
He maintained that the ‘main’ Club will always be ready to support the Ladies Section anytime they beckon for help adding, “As ‘mothers and wives’ assisting them is natural, because we see how well they are treated in other clubs.”
Prof Ejikeme therefore, reasoned appreciatively and summarily that the resourcefulness of the Lady Captain (Fonne) whose tenure is winding down would still be needed in the AGC management team.
“We call the Lady Captain, “a go-getter,” because she’s a result oriented person; for this reason we will plead with her to remain in the Club’s management committee when she ends her tenure as Lady Captain,”Prof Ejikeme affirmed.
Incidentally, Prof Ejikeme’s leadership according to records on ground also witnessed massive transformation of the AGC facilities – the complete greening of the golf course was a major landmark achievement under his watch which earned him the nickname, ‘Professor of green.’
On the success of greening the length and breathe of the course and other development, Prof Ejikeme was magnanimous in his response, alluding the success to team work, commitment and focus of AGC members.
“When I came on board as the Captain, I was focused on what I want to achieve; it was principally building on the structures on ground for the Club to move forward ; we needed to put the Club in standard shape and we started from the holes that were not green; we got sponsors as AVM Osim; Major General Bob Chukwu; Uche Agbo (sick) among others.
“Most importantly, in this Club,we see ourselves as ones and that brotherhood spirit is what has been carrying us along; maintaining the club rules and regulations and the rest is an addendum,” the ex-Captaim explained in emotion ladened tone.
On why he did not continue for a second term giving his first term performance and acceptability he said, “No, no, no! The club has rules and one should not bend the rules; there are other people on ground who also have better ideas and they should be allowed to contribute their quota in the development of the club.”
Professor Ejikeme however, concluded by revealing the Club was aiming at having bigger tours hosted at the AGC in the nearest future, just as he urged lady members to start participating in tournaments outside the AGC as it would improve their performance and social status going forward.
