Gov Ahmed promises return of Kwara Open golf tourney

Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdufatah Ahmed has assured of the return of State open golf tournament later in the year.
He gave the assurance during the closing ceremony of the Kwara at 50 Golf tournament last weekend at Ilorin Golf Club.
The Kwara at fifty golf tournament was sponsored by BUA Group, Sterling Bank, Yola’s consultants Ltd, Duravil Construction Ltd, Chelfom Engineering & Construction Ltd, Lanre Shittu Motors, ICMA Professional Services, Pyramid Ltd, Kwara Internal Revenue Service, Chief Kunle Oyinloye of Infrastructure Bank.
The event which lasted for six days witnessed a record entry in both the professional and amateurs classes.
Captain of the Club, Ola Maliki said the weekend was an unprecedented one in the history of the Club.
“We are amazed at the turn out of golfers from across the country, we had virtually all hotels in the city fully occupied because we had close to 400 player come in to compete.
“We also created avenue for local entrepreneurs to showcase their wares at stands we created at the golf club. It was practically a spike in the local economy” he said.
Minna Cantonment Golf Club based Sunday Odegha, who won the professional’s round picked $2,700 USD out of the $25, 000 staked for their category. The event was also the first Professional Golfers’ Association of Nigeria event denominated in foreign currency after the 2009 Nigeria Open. MicCom Golf Club’s Sunday Olapade was runner up while Air Assault Golf Club Mike Ubi placed third at the event.
Luqman Owolewa, the CEO of Sluqfort the consulting firm that managed the Kwara at fifty tournaments said that the event enjoyed such patronage from corporate and private partners because of the pedigree of the people behind it.
“Our Governor is passionate about repositioning the state as the hub of golf. This is what it has been in the past but with the recent investments in club and the busting talents that the state has, he is very committed to give the necessary support to use golf to stimulate the tourism and drive local economy,” he added.
President-elect of the Nigeria Golf Federation, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola was part of the over 200 players that graced the 36 holes contest that rounded off the event on Sunday July 15.
Homeboy Ibrahim Usman won the category one rank beating Shagamu scratch player, Uche Eze placed second.