Guardian

JUST like the Scottish missionary Mary Slessor, which it is named after, the Mary Slessor Charity Golf Championship has the capacity to touch lives and revolutionise golf in Cross River State in particular and Nigeria in general.

This was the submission of Acting Governor of the state, Mr. Effiok Cobham at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Mary Slessor Golf tournament at the Calabar Golf Club, where sumptuous prizes including hi-fi music equipment, giant flat screen television sets and refrigerators were handed out to winners

The charity golf tournament is the brainchild of Mrs. Obioma Imoke, wife of the state Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke and usually features children’s clinic, amateur and professional events. The professionals’ event was, however, not included in the just concluded edition.

In his remarks, Cobham congratulated Mrs. Imoke for the tourney, saying she “has used the tourney, especially the children’s clinic to touch the lives of young ones reminiscent of what the Scottish missionary, Mary Slessor represented during her lifetime.”

The acting governor, who regretted the inability of professional players to feature in this year’s event, also lamented that despite having so many golfers in Nigeria, we don’t have any Nigerian on the American or European tours. We can use this event to prepare and ensure that we get Nigerians into prominent world tours.

While promising a better tourney next year, he tasked the leadership of the Calabar Golf Club to make the club vibrant as this will spur sponsorship of it’s activities.

“Furthermore, making the club a vibrant one will help strengthen the state’s place in the country’s tourism map and give sponsors the needed impetus to expand their sponsorship,” he added.

He lauded the contributions of First Bank Plc, to development of golf in the country through its yearly sponsorship of the golf tournament and many other sporting events in the country.

“I must say that we had considered putting off this event but our corporate partner, First Bank insisted that it must go ahead, because of the huge importance it plays in raising kids for the charity of our First Lady. I want to really commend them for their support and I believe Her Excellency, the initiator of this charity event, is equally pleased with the support you have given to this as well.”

Meanwhile, Enugu-based category one player, Jackson Offem, emerged the overall winner of the championship. Offem, a scratch player at the 36 holes contest garnered 149, five over par to win the fourth edition of the charity golf event, dismissing the earlier threats from Aba-based Emmanuel Onumajuru with a five stroke margin.

“I had quite some challenge from Onumajuru, but I guess I played better eventually; and I hope to return here to defend this title next year,” he said at the closing ceremony.

Cobham thanked all who took part in the tournament congratulating the winners for displaying resilience even as he urged losers go back home and improve their handicap.

The tournament was preceded by a children’s clinic, where over 70 children were taken through the basics of the game.