FirstBank’s search for talents at Lagos Open unearths new stars

A new kid is on the block. On Monday, Olamide Afolabi grossed 73, 2-over the course par to win the Search for Stars category of the 63rd FirstBank Lagos Amateur Open Golf Championship, which teed off at the Golf Section of IKoyi Club 1938.

While Afolabi sits atop the Search for Stars category, Ifeanyi Sylvester grossed 76 to come second, leaving Segun Olasinde with a 78 gross score in the third position.

Known for growing sports at all levels, the FirstBank Lagos Amateur Open Golf Championship has become a nursery of some sort for would-be golf professionals, many of whom have gone on to join the professional cadre after winning the championship.

In 2002, Port Harcourt-based Gift Willy stunned bookmakers when he tore through the tight fairways of Ikoyi Course to emerge victorious over in a field of over 200 players. That victory earned Willy a sponsorship deal and he turned professional the following year.

Andrew Oche Odoh, another amateur sensation stole the show in Ikoyi winning the 2003 edition. Today, Odoh is not just a professional golfer, but one of Nigeria’s best ever.

Danjuma Farouk, Ajayi Tajudeen, Bello Abiola Moruf, and Austin Akpodiete are some golf talents who have passed through the FirstBank Lagos Open.

Afolabi, Sylvester, and Olaseinde are expected to grow in the sport and reach the heights attained by their predecessors in the FirstBank Lagos Amateur Open.

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