EKSU, FUTA shine at Varsities’ Golf Tour

By Femi Atolagbe
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Golfer Bamikole Paul from Ekiti State University (EKSU), has emerged overall winner of the 5th Nigerian Universities Golf Tour held at Smokin Hills Golf Resort  Ilara Mokin, Ondo State , with 82 gross shots, 8 handicap and 74 net return to defend the trophy he won last year.

In Female category, Toyin Olusegun from Federal University of Technology Akure, (FUTA) came first with 106 gross shots, 28 handicap and 78 net return .

Also, Olakunle Olalere of the host University, Elizade University came second in male category with 83 shots, 6 handicap, and 77 net return, while Tawa Ademola emerged second in female category with 107 shots, 28 handicap and 79 net return.

Monday Adefila came first in Caddies category, while Ayo Adebumiti came second.

Golfer Banji Otitoju won the guest players category with 94 gross shots, 24 handicap, and 70 net return, while golfer Olukayode Daisi came second with 93 gross shots, 22 handicap and 71 net return. Third position went to golfer Lawani Biodun with 100 gross shots, 28 handicap and 72 net return.

Mrs Evelyn Balogun won the female category of the guest players, while Mr Akin Falodun went home with the Veteran prize.

Over 90 participants from 12 Universities and two elementary and secondary schools had gathered at the Smokin Hills Golf Resort in Ilara Mokin to compete for the annual National Universities Golf Tour.

They include; Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA),Obafemi Awolowo University Ile -Ife (OAU), Federal University Dutse, University of Ibadan (UI), Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba (AAUA), Ekiti State University (EKSU), I- Tree  International School Ilorin and Arandun Grammar School, Ilorin among others.

In an interview with Sporting Hope, the winner of the Golf Tour, Bamikole Paul said it gladdened his heart to emerge the winner of the competition for the second time in a roll, saying competing with great golfers in this kind of competition is a great opportunity for him.

He said “I have been playing golf for nine years and I thank God that I put in my best to defend the trophy again, God on my side, I hope to defend it again and again.”

Earlier, when declaring the Tour open, the Vice Chancellor of Elizade University, Professor Olukayode Oladipo Amund, urged all the competitors to see golf as an instrument of Local and  International integration and  cooperation.

He commended the organizers for the job well-done, saying the 5th edition is the beginning of greater things to happen in Nigerian universities.

An experienced golfer and a Manager, Marketing and Promotions, Smokin Hills Golf Resort, Mr Bayo Aderetan said the purpose of staging the  competition every year was to expose and  bring  young minds into the game of Golf, not only to be a golfer but elite.

According to him, “people say golf is a game for the rich and elite , yes, every body in life  aspire to be rich ,what do we do to bring people onboard? That is why we are organising this kind of competition every year among Universities in the country.

On their efforts to bring the game closer to the grassroots, he said it depends on the strength of their sponsors, saying they have been reaching out to the media with the little they have and promised they will do more to publicise the game at the grassroots.

He therefore advised the winners of the competition to keep on practice, saying it’s an opportunity for them to go places in life.

He said, “Once your talent is discovered, its left for you to develop it , because an average golfer can earn more than a football team,” he said.