Guardian

DIRECTOR of the Professional Golfers’ Association of Nigeria (PGAN), Mr. Festus Makalemi, has singled out the out gone 2012 as a year like no other in the history of professional golf in the country.

To this end, Makalemi says the body was working towards repeating the successes recorded last year in the 2013 season, which is underway.

Makelemi, who is the resident professional at the Shell Golf Club, Ogunu, Warri, Delta State, while giving his perspectives on 2012 said, “the year 2012 was a remarkable year for professional golf in Nigeria. The PGAN had a good corporate patronage last year, which ended as the year with the biggest prize purse for the association since it was founded in1969. And that meant that more players won more monies last year.”

“Also within the year under review, “more foreign players signed up for membership of the PGAN making it the second biggest multi-national tour in Africa and the Tour produced its first non-Nigerian order of merit leader, Emos Korblah of Ghana.”

For Director of Operation, Femi Olagbenro, added that these are the reasons a lot of corporate bodies are showing more interest in the development of professional golf in the country.

According to him, when corporate bodies associate with professional golf, it means more exposure for their brands in a tour like ours, which has a growing profile and an international outlook. I believe last year was a threshold year for professional golf in Nigeria. And this year will be better.”

Meanwhile, the 2013 Tour is also expected to tee-off at the Otukpo Golf and Country Club, Otukpo, Benue State, where the last event of the 2012 season was held. The event, the Benue State Governor’s Cup is scheduled to hold later this month.