All is now set for the 2019 Ibadan Ladies Open Golf Tournament and Captain’s Day which teed off today at the Ibadan Golf Club (IGC) with over 210 golfers expected from across the country.
The three-day tournament, however, has two exciting, youthful players that will be the cynosure of all eyes – Helen Alechenu and Blessing Abdul of Otukpo Golf Club.
Invariably, UBTH Open champion and IBB Golf Club player, Amina Wilfred, seemed to have been very consistent in recent times and remains a bigger threat to others.
Alachenu and Abdul, who are products of Otukpo Golf Academy, are expected to pose a strong challenge to vintage faces as Wilfred and Rachael Danjuma of IBB, Abuja and Evelyn Oyome of IGC Ibadan, who have been the best women players in the country of late.
In an exclusive chat with newsmen, the emerging stars said, “We are ready for Ibadan Ladies,” which is R&A and World Amateur Golf ranking tournament.
The youths who in recent times have been sponsored on trips to Kenya and Ghana by Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) have sprang lots of surprises representing Nigeria, just as they were delights to watch at the 2018 LGAN Open in Uyo.
In a unanimous impression they said, “We are aware of the strong field that are expected in this tournament – the likes of Amina, Rachael and Oyome; there are other strong lady golfers too that may participate – but the tournament will be a good experience for us going forward.”
Wilfred also speaking said, “I’ll try to replicate my performance at UBTH in Ibadan; I want to prove that it was not by error, but hard work. But, I also have respect for other players; I will not underrate them.”
Dr. Tope Farombi, the Ibadan Lady Captain is fascinated with the sponsors which has Magamound as the official sponsor and U Fit Fly which has promised Oman, Dubai and Kenya trip for winners.
The Local Organising Committee Chairman (LOC), Sumbo Oshile affirmed that all logistics were being put in place as she was certain that participants will have fun at the tournament which ends on Sunday.
…Odoh targets Zambia tours
Andrew Oche Odoh, Professional Golfers Association of Nigeria (PGAN) number one by order of merit will return to Zambia by March 28 for Mopani Redpat Zambia Open at Nkana Golf Club, Kitwe and Zanaco Masters at Lusaka Golf Club to continue his chase for first Sunshine Tour title.
The IBB International Golf and Country Club of Abuja player ended his about a month-long Sunshine Tour of South Africa on Sunday March 10 with Limpopo Championship where he finished 48 of 138 – 70, 70, 74, 73.
Odoh on Wednesday said that he believed the positives from the South African tour would make a difference in Zambia with the title as the ultimate.
“I did my best at the Sunshine Tour of South Africa finishing 48 out of 138. I played among the best field across the world.
“I believe I have learnt some lessons that will guide me better in subsequent tournaments; there are two tournaments coming up in Zambia from March 28 – the Mopani Redpat Zambia Open in Kitwe and Zanaco Masters in Lusaka,” Odoh said.
