The sixth edition of the Kwara Open Golf Tournament has been finalised to tee-off from Saturday, December 19, at the Ilorin Golf Club, the state capital, an official has said.
A Former board member of the Nigeria Golf Federation and consultant/Marketer for the 6th Kwara Open Tournament, Luqman Owolewa, said the event is primed to be one of the best in the history of staging the tournament.
He said this while speaking with the newsmen in Ilorin alongside the club’s captain, Chief Ray Okafor.
“Ilorin has an unusual advantage as being a tourist’s preferred destination, and we have golfers from different states showing interest to take part since news filtered out that the government has given a go-ahead for the tournament to take place,” he said.
According to him, this year’s edition, despite being a wholly amateur golfers affair, has been spiced up with prizes for the players, and virtually every golfer that tee-off at the Par 72 course will be rewarded for their play.
“The players are expected to throng the course from Friday, Dec. 18, for an official practice round on the host course” Owolewa said.
Owolewa revealed that the event is being sponsored by the Kwara State government; others include; Kwara Internal Revenue Service, Noktel Resort and Hotel, and OPAS Nigeria Limited as co-sponsors.
Captain of the club, Chief Ray Okafor, said the course is in good shape and the club facilities are ready to host golfers for the weekend.
“Most golfers due to the number of days we stayed off the game at the expense of the Pandemic have been yearning for action, especially an opportunity to have a round of golf at Ilorin Club here.
“I believe that this event and others that will look forward to hosting in the future, gives us a perfect chance at opening up the state and its wide investment opportunities to tourists and potential investors.” He stated.
The game would be judged over 18 holes of play and entries have so far from Ibadan Tiger, Ekiti, Minna, Kaduna, Kano, Ikeja and Abeokuta Golf Clubs among others.
