Four prominent golf promoters, including Chief Michael Ade-Ojo of Smoking Hill Golf Club, Ilara Mokin, Ondo State; former Senate President, David Mark, founder of MicCom Golf Club, Ada, Osun State; Tunde Ponle and the owner of Asabari Golf Club, Saki, Oyo State; Teju Ishola, will be honoured today by the Ibadan Golf Club (IGC) for their contributions to the growth of the sport in Nigeria.
Also on the honours list are Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and past governors, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala and the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi, for their contributions to the growth of the club.
The celebrations are part of activities for the 30th-anniversary celebrations of the club.
IGC Captain, Ola Ibironke, popularly known as ‘Dudu Heritage,’ said about 200 golfers have been part of the celebrations, adding that a ceremonial tee-off for the two-day tournament will be held today, a welcome dinner for guests and dignitaries from various clubs will hold in the evening, while the closing ceremony and grand finale will hold tomorrow at the World Lily Event Centre, Apata, Ibadan.
Explaining the rationale for the honour on the dignitaries, Ibironke said, “In abroad, most of these golf courses are owned by cities, though there are a few individuals who own golf clubs, they are billionaires over there. Here, having a golf course is borne out of a passion for the game and not for making money and that is why these few individuals who are helping golf to develop in this country deserve to be honoured.”