A combined field of 150 professional and 200 amateur golfers will compete for money and coveted prizes at the pro-Am golf tournament billed for the Otukpo Golf and Country Club, Akpegede.
The tournament – a fusion of some of the country’s finest professional and amateur golfers is being sponsored by Arik Air between May 15 and 18.
Arik is taking a stake in professional golf for the first time since it made its bow at the Independence day Golf Tournament at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja in October last year.
According to the Chairman of the Tournament Organising Committee, Gbenga Odusanya, the tournament is dedicated to honour President Goodluck Jonathan.
“The professional corps will compete over four days beginning from May 15 while the amateur rank will play through the weekend,” said Odusanya.
He similarly admitted that the organiers are weighing the option of bringing the professional schedule forward to avoid a slow playing course on the busy weekend.
We learnt that the decision to play the tournament in Otukpo was hinged on the charity nature of the club which offers free membership to people in addition to boasting of an academy for the locals to learn the game of golf.
We also learnt that the Arik is in discussion with Otukpo Club on how they can mutually explore the possibility of supporting the academy and promoting the game at the grassroots.
The standard 18-hole Otukpo layout, which is lined by orange and mango trees, is owned by Senate President, David Mark.
