Amusa Kelani beat off competition from fifty three golfers to emerge the new champion of the Ikeja Golf Club at the grand finale of the 2023 edition of the Championship held over the weekend.
The finale wrapped up the week-long championship, which commenced on Monday, November 20, with staff and caddies. Subsequent days featured veteran golfers on Tuesday November 21, a competitive challenge by female golfers on Wednesday November 22, a special kitty and auction night on Thursday and the main competition for golfers with handicap 19 and above on Friday and golfers with handicap 18 and below on Saturday.
Kelani hit an impressive 148 gross over two days to top the chart and write his name in the Club’s history book of past winners.
Fawze Talal, who scored 154 gross over two days, emerged as runner-up while Alhaji Rasaki Muritala finished as second runner-up with a score of 158 gross over two days.
Reacting to his victory, Kelani thanked the clubs management committee and members of Ikeja Golf Club for providing the necessary support and an avenue for him to emerge victorious in the championship.
“This victory means a lot to me and first of all I want appreciate the people that made it possible for me to be able to participate in this year’s championship because if I could not participate, then there is no way I would have won.
“Playing in this tournament, I knew I play good golf, but I became confident that I could win when almost everybody kept telling me that I was the best and that I can win. So I told myself, if everybody says I can win, why can’t I believe in myself,” Kelani said.
Speaking at the prize presentation ceremony which doubled as the club’s 55th anniversary celebration, the Club’s Captain, Sina Akinyemi, commended and congratulated the winners and all participants for a successful tournament.
He commended the past Captains of the Club for their immense contributions to the development of the Club and thanked all members of the club for their commitment and support for the ongoing landmark project, the Integrated Golf Range, which is poised to elevate the golfing experience in the Club.
“The Ikeja Golf Club has witnessed transformative changes over the years and the Integrated Golf Range is set to build on that. We have started the project and with the support of every member of the golf club, we will complete it,” Akinyemi added.
Also speaking, the President of the club, Mr Kehinde Philips, commended the Captain and the organising committee for convening a successful tournament. “The 2023 championship is one of the most successful we have had in this Club. Successful in terms of attendance and the quality of vision they had for the tournament. I congratulate the captain and the organising committee for a job well done,” he said.
In his congratulatory address, the President of the Nigeria Golf Federation, Otunba Segun Runsewe felicitated with the Ikeja Golf Club on its 55th anniversary and described it as one of the friendliest in the country.
He commended the Captain and the organising committee for the visionary Integrated Golf Range project and pledged to donate N500,000 to support it. “A good golfing facility saves lives and reduces blood pressure,” Runsewe noted.
The President also urged members of the club to support the leadership of the Club in their bid to ensure the completion of the project and assured them of the unwavering support of the Nigeria Golf Federation.
The competition was supported by ADL Solutions, 7 Up, Express Payment, Prime Metro and Golf View hotels,enhancing the prestige and excitement of the competition.