The buildup to the just concluded FirstBank Lagos Amateur Open Golf Championship was as interesting as the tournament itself. The idea to give back to the needy was something Nigerians, especially golfers, cherish. Tagged “Corporate Golf Challenge for Charity; a part of the FirstBank’s SPARK (Start Performing Acts of Random Kindness) initiative, the plan was to reach out to those in need through the tournament.
Truly, the tournament yielded the expected results. Pacelli School for the Blinds was supported with the sum of N5.1m through the initiative while the Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria was not left out. The foundation was lifted with the sum of N5.1m also under the SPARK idea.
That was not all. Knowing that golf, like any other sport is also prone to injury, the sponsor donated an ambulance to Ikoyi Club 1938 to deal with emergencies at the foremost social club in Lagos.
These supports for the needy and the ambulance were perfect ways to celebrate a tournament that has run consistently for 60-year while the sponsor’s commitment and unwavering assistance has kept the tournament going this long.
Since its debut in 1961, the Lagos Open has successfully groomed and harnessed talents. And as has been severally proved, Lagos Open is a lift of some sort as some golfers have transitioned from amateur ranks to professional golfing through this yearly tournament.
Expectedly, 60th anniversary edition winner Aminu Kadir, just like Kenyan Sam Njoroge who was the champion in 2019, is already eyeing a move to the professional cadre. Speaking shortly after been declared winner, Aminu who said he waited this long for the victory, declared his intention to join the elite professional class.
“Next year, I will enroll into the Qualifying School and turn professional golfer. This has always been my dream,” he began before adding that “winning the Lagos Open has boasted my confidence and belief that I will make it”.
If Aminu succeeds, he will be joining the likes of Willy Gift, Oche Odoh, Monday Eze, Ibrahim Ocheje, Austin Akpodiette, Abiola Moruf, Olusegun Daniel and a host of others who are making waves as professional golfers.
A gross score of 14-over par was all the Ilorin Golf Club-based category-one golfer needed to move to the next level.
While Aminu held sway in the amateur category, former winners who are now professionals also gave golf fans something to cheer as seen during the playoffs between Willy Gift from Python Golf Club in Port Harcourt and the visiting Kenyan, Njoroge who had to go on extra four-hole playoff for the decider.
The Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, Adesola Adeduntan however restated the Bank’s commitment to promoting sports in the country. “FirstBank’s support for the development of sport stems from the understanding that it is a major unifying force for individuals and communities, defying language, culture, religion, beliefs and social strata”.
He also describes sports as a veritable platform for promoting a healthy nation, as well as a major vehicle for social and economic development”.
These beliefs, Adeduntan, who was represented by Callistus Obetta said have been the Bank’s greatest motivation for partnering relevant institutions for sports development, through the sponsorship of major tournaments, one of which is this annual golf tournament.
In all, it is a general belief in Nigerian sports circles that FirstBank’s contribution to sports development is close to 200 years of combined support across all sports sector.
The Georgian Cup of the Kaduna Polo Club sponsored by the bank has been running for 102 years; Dala Hard Court Lawn Tennis Championship is 32 years old while the Lagos Amateur Open Golf Tournament is 60 years. In addition to the Elephant Girls Basketball Club and a male FirstBank Football Club, these are platforms created by FirstBank to deepen its support for the sector and have achieved the purpose for which they were created.
