By Steve Oma-Ofozor
Lagos
The recent increase in the participation of foreign players in tournaments organised by the Professional Golf Development (PGD) in collaboration with Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of Nigeria has gladdened the managements of both tours.
Recalled that the just concluded Etranzact Golf Classic on the card of the PGD Tour had a commendable total of 10 foreign players, in the event though dominated by PGA of Nigeria players; incidentally, a Ghanaian Lucky Ayisah was joint second position, where Francis Epe of Nigeria was the champion.
This development the PGD Tour Director, Femi Olagbenro, opined in a chat with SOKOnnect is a plus for golf game in Nigeria as he looks forward to more foreign players participation in subsequent tournaments.
“The target of PGD Tour to develop Nigeria golf in collaboration with the PGA of Nigeria is interestingly working according to plans; this can be assessed objectively from the participation off both home and foreign players in the events organised so far.
“I’m particularly impressed with the last event (Etranzact Golf Classic) that has 10 foreign players; the development underscored the fact that we’re growing; we’re getting calls and I can confidently say by the next event, we should be having more than what we had in the Etranzact Classic,” Olagbenro enthused at the end of the Classic.
On the amateur development, Olagbenro believes it would be a bedrock for the breeding of future professionals, hence it would be viewed with all seriousness as the main thrust of PGD Tour is “development” just as “there has to be good amateurs to have good professionals.”
Jide Bolaji, the Secretary of PGA of Nigeria who has been very conspicuous in all the event corroborated the position of PGD Tour, adding that the PGAN will be willing to at all times give every necessary support to grow the game of golf in Nigeria.
The next tournament is tentatively scheduled for June 2023, with a venue yet to be fixed.
