More than 200 professional and amateur golfers from across the country are expected in Uyo for a three-day Governor’s Cup billed to tee off at the Ibom Icon and Golf Resort today.
Captain of the Ibom Golf Course, Usenobong Akpabio, during the week disclosed that competition has elicited so much interest from the country’s best golfers that the organisers were forced to close the registration portal within 10 days of opening it.
Akpabio, who promised that the competition would be exciting and colourful, noted that 200 golfers registered for the tournament within 10 days of portal opening.
He disclosed that the portal was closed against more registration owing to the capacity of the facility, adding that the golfers registered for the tournament are persons with high networth and political positions in the country.
“You can understand why we have over 200 golfers who registered within 10 days the portal was opened. We closed the portal because this facility has its own capacity. Ibom Golf Course is the best in Nigeria and comparable to anywhere in the world. The likes of Tiger Woods can play here and we are moving towards that.
“This is what we can do to support the state. We are promoting the state through golfing. This is an opportunity to expose what we have for tourism and the numerous opportunities for investment. You can only imagine the boost our tourism sector will enjoy because of this tournament.
Akpabio explained that registered players are expected to arrive in Uyo today, practice round and have a cocktail, adding: “Saturday is slated for the tee-off of the amateur tournament with first day play, while tournament day-2 will continue on Sunday even as the result of first day play and second day play will be announced.”
He disclosed that many prizes have been lined up for various categories of winners, including the grand winner.
The tournament has Polaris Bank as the lead sponsor with support from Ibom Icon Hotel and Golf Resort, Desicon, Hensek, D’Angelo, Ibom Air, Trugas, WellManned, Marusen Foundation and Julius Berger.
In his remarks, the General Manager of Ibom Icon Hotel and Golf Resort, Charles Muia, described golf as one of the “key drivers of patronage for the five- star hotel, as it has attracted over 700 golfers to the hotel within a period of six months from March to September this year.”
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