By Usman Ibn A. Lapai
Kaduna
Barrister Baban Ja’e from Zaria Golf Club has emerged champion of the Heineken Wuyep Lakeside Golf Clinical and Tournament, which was held on Saturday at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna, after scoring 65 Nett.
Runner-up Nett went to Nura Umar of the Wuyep Lakeside who scored 67 Nett, while Major Saidu from NDA Golf Club with 77 Gross, finished with the Best Gross, leaving Saleh Idris who played 79 gross after a count back on Shehu Abdullahi and Sergeant Philip Hussaini to settle for runner-up gross.
In the Ladies’ Category, Elizabeth Samuel of the Ola Saad Golf Club Jaji, who played 72 Nett claimed the top prize.
Runner-up Net was win by Sarah Haruna of the host club with 73 Nett, while Best Gross went to Vera David of the Zaria Golf Club.
Zaria Golf Club dominated the Veterans Category as Adamu Yusuf (73 Nett) and Tanimu Garba (83 Gross) finished Best Nett and Best Gross respectively.
Professor S.U. Abdullahi from Kaduna Golf Club with 75 Nett prevented Zaria from winning a treble as he picked up the runner-up Nett.
In the male category two for those in handicap 15 to 28, Air Commodore P.J. Usman from Wuyep Lakeside with 64 Nett emerged Best Nett.
Jibrin Sule also with 64 Nett emerged runner-up Nett, while Emmanuel F.S. from Wuyep Lakeside with 87 Gross grabbed Best Gross. Runner-up Gross went to Colonel A. Rabiu with 88 Gross.
Speaking at the event, the Speaker Kaduna State House of Assembly Honorable Aminu Abdullahi Shagali who was represented by the Chairman House Committee on Environment Honorable Labari Tella said ‘’ Nigerian Breweries have being outstanding in the support for Golf in Kaduna State, not just sport, since 2007 to date I have headed the Environment Committee and each time will go for oversight functions the Brewery Environment is also habitable ‘’
‘’I will take up the responsibility to inform the Speaker and relevant Government officials on the need to support Golf and make it a tourist attraction for Kaduna’’ Tella maintained.
Earlier, the Brewery Manager Mr. Abbey Ajayi maintained that ‘’ in spite of all the economic challenges we have continued to put in our very best to steer the company to great operational excellence.
Through our Corporate Social Responsibility platform, and also not relenting in our continuous sponsorship of the golf game’’ Also, the Public Affairs Manager North, Mr. Danjuma John-Ekele congratulated the participants for taking up the challenge stressing that the game is a game of credibility and responsibility.
‘’ The company will continue to support the Government of Kaduna through continuous tax payment to raise the Internally Generated Revenue of the State and enhanced environment for the health of Kaduna Citizens
Earlier at the Heineken Clinic, the instructors, led by Corporal Mamman T. of the Wuyep Lakeside, took the beginners on the rudiments of the game of golf.
They were later split into groups of five and given practical orientation on the course.
Some of the activities witnessed were putting and drills on the golf clubs and the best to use for every situation Speaking to newsmen after the clinic, Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Kaduna State Chapter, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin who was a participant, described the experience as rewarding.
He commended Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc for the initiative, while expressing optimism that it would further develop the game of golf through new players.
Also speaking, the Kaduna State Coordinator, Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), Mr. Emmanuel Danlami Datti said that the experience helped him to relief stress.
“You know our line of work in ensuring that only quality products are consumed by Nigerians is stressful because we work almost round the clock. Coming here today was very rewarding,” he added
