Junior golfers chase world ranking points at Awa Ibraheem tourney

The 6th edition of Awa Ibraheem Junior Golf Championship has become the first junior event in the country which has secured endorsement of the global body, R & A, to issue participants world ranking points.

The event, which is expected to hold from October 17 to 19, at the Ikeja Golf Club in Lagos, would see ninety players test their skills at the three-day championship.

The players were picked based on the national order of merit and screened by the technical department of the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF).

Awa Ibraheem, president, trustees of Ikeja Golf Club and former captain of the host club — who doubles as sponsor of the championship — said his passion to grow the game is well focused on the development of junior golf.

“There is quite a lot that can be done for young golfers at this age. Apart from honing their skills and sustaining their interest, I also use this platform to offer the exceptional players scholarship and encourage them to go to school as I believe that would make them well rounded and preserve the golf heritage,” Ibraheem said.

Thursday has been set aside as the official practice day, while Friday and Saturday will witness golf action where junior players take the lush course in different age grade categories for honour.

Emy Ekong, NGF’s director of Women and Youth Development, said the federation would ensure that all the international standards are met during the competition.

“Players will compete in under 9, under 12, under 15 and under 17 categories. Also, this event is key on the federation’s calendar and the level expected from the players confirms this,” Ekong said.

Entries for the 54-holes event have been received from major golf clubs in country, including Ikoyi Golf Club 1938, Lagos; Ibadan Golf Club, IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja and Rosani Golf Club, Ekiti.

Others are Lamingo and Rayfield Golf Clubs in Jos; Otukpo Golf Club; Ibom Golf Club; Abeokuta Golf Club; Ibori Golf and Country Club, Asaba; Port Harcourt Golf Club as well as Yola, Enugu and Bauchi Golf Clubs.