Lagos: Two hundred amateur golfers are set to compete at the 63rd annual FirstBank Golf Lagos Open, from Nov. 18 to Nov. 24, at the Ikoyi Club 1938 golf section. Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday in Lagos, Olusegun Alebiosu, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FirstBank Nigeria Ltd., appreciated the management of Ikoyi Club 1938 for its collaboration and support.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the FirstBank Lagos Amateur Open Golf Championship is a World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) event, administered by the Royal and Ancient (RandA) Golf Club and United States Golf Association (USGA). This makes the championship one of the international golf events where all amateur golfers worldwide can participate and amass points to aid their WAGR rankings.
Alebiosu emphasized that this status has heightened the recognition of the championship in amateur golf circles, noting that the 2024 championship is expected to bring together both male and female golfers from around the world. Past winners of the Lago
s Open Golf Championship have received WAGR recognition and are now fully registered in the Hall of Fame.
FirstBank is reinforcing its dedication to empowering individuals and communities by providing opportunities for underprivileged caddies and golfers to enhance inclusivity and expand participation. This year’s Championship will feature two new components, ‘Search for a Star’ and the ‘Championship Kitty’. The ‘Search For a Star’ targets 300 aspiring golfers from underprivileged backgrounds, aged 18-30, who currently work as caddies at Ikoyi Club. The ‘Championship Kitty’ extends participation to golfers with Handicap 10 and above, promoting inclusivity.
The lineup of activities also includes the FirstBank’s customary Corporate Golf challenge for charity as part of the Start Performing Acts of Random Kindness (SPARK) initiative. Other events include the Caddy’s Competition, Professional Coaching clinics, and Beat-The-Pro longest drive, among others. An award ceremony will honor all champions that emerge d
uring the tournament.
Tunde Oni, the Vice Captain of Ikoyi Club 1938 Golf Club, noted FirstBank’s tremendous effort in developing golf in the country for many decades. Meanwhile, Isaac Umoru, a golfer with St. Marks Golf and Country Club, Otukpo, Benue, came from behind to win the 62nd edition of the Championship, closing with 74 for +13 over the Course par for a total of 226 gross scores.