CIO’s golf tourney draws record entry for Nigerian championship

The fifth CIO Golf Championship, which teed off yesterday, at the Python Golf Club in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has set a new entry record for a professional golf event in the country with 14 African countries and a European entry confirmed.

Speaking on the event, which began with Kids and Youth Day, Chief Ikenna Okafor, said that the goal of championship of proving Nigeria’s professional golf potential is gradually being realised.

“This week is a special week for Nigerian golf as we have positioned championship game as an instrument to market Nigeria’s potential both as a golfing and a hospitality haven to the rest of Africa and the world.”

Okafor, who also doubles Chairman of the host club’s management committee, said the course is in great shape to host an international event that the CIO Championship has evolved into.

“We believe beyond the price, the quality of Python Golf facility that some of the international players had tested in previous editions is part of the attraction here, and we shall make sure professional golf and the local talents that this event is designed to elevate is being supported.”

The Professional Golfers’ Association of Nigeria (PGAN) has also confirmed 13 African countries’ entries for the event, and a European entry who would be joining the Nigerian entries to slug it out in the chase for the 30 spots that will share the winning purse.

Some of the players and countries that have signed on to be part of the professional round that starts on Thursday include Nelson Mudanyi (Kenya), Ronald Ruguayo (Uganda), Richard Kouakou (Cote d’Ivoire), Greg Snow (England), Bulabula Michael (Cameroon), Luwis Abaga (Equatorial Guinea) Prince Agyiri (Ghana), Njoroge Kibugu (Kenya), Jean-Romaric (Cote