By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The Acropolis Golf Course, Okija Anambra last Saturday held its maiden tournament with no fewer than 82 professional and amateur golfers from across Nigeria participating.
Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, the promoter of the Acropolis Gardens and Residence Golf Course facility who tee-d off the game on Saturday said that the goal was to re-introduce Okija, his community, to the world.
Azudialu-Obiejesi said Okija meant different things to people but the idea of building the golf course was to change the narrative and make people have a positive impression when and wherever the community was mentioned.
He said he was fulfilled to see the class of people who showed up for the inaugural event, and how far some of them had to travel to feature at the event.
He said they were planning to hold series of events at least once in a quarter that would involve the professionals.
“Acropolis Gardens and Residence Golf Course is now open and we have a befitting world-class 155 rooms capacity at the Acropolis Gardens and Residence Golf Course to cater for their accommodation while they are here.
“The Acropolis Golf Course is one of our many planned projects to make this happen”, he said.
Francis Epe, Nigeria’s reigning number one golfer from Ikoyi Country Club won the tournament with 12 under par, 60 to set the course p at the Inaugural event.
The Acropolis Golf Course is the first privately owned nine-hole course sitting on a 42-hectare with undulating topography and natural in the heart of Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra.
Speaking on Sunday, Epe said it was his first visit to Okija and he was impressed with the Acropolis Golf Course which he described as well laid out and he had to play with his full strength.
“I just told myself that I was going to avoid all the sand traps and water hazards, and I also chipped in twice in the round. In all, I had 12 birdies and six pars. It was a bogey-free round”, he said.
The Professional Golfers’ Association of Nigeria through its Director, Tony Philmoore has commended the facility and said it qualified for a grade A facility given the level of finesse that was put in at every level of the construction.
“I dare say that this facility is one of the best in the country. As the Director of the PGA in Nigeria, I am very proud that the promoters of this project did not hold anything back in making sure they gave a world-class infrastructure”, he said.
Gift Willy of Python Golf Club was the runner up with eight under par 64, while Benin Golf Club’s Chukwudi Okoro placed third, shooting 67.
Nkechi Nwaokolo, a 36 handicapper won the lady’s category with a 112 gross score with her net of 76 to beat Rita Izojie with two strokes at 78 net to the second place.
Nkechi Musa-Tolani picked the third prize returning a 79 net score in 18 holes.
Chimezie Anaso, Chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Anambra State chapter, who witnessed the inauguration and Teeing off ceremony commended Azudialu-Obiejesi for building first golf course in Anambra.
Anaso, said the association looked forward to seeing the game of golf become popular in the state while expressing their readiness to partner Acropolis management to make it a hub in Southeast.
“This is impressive, a true definition of private sector partnership in sports development, we are pleased with the birth of Acropolis Golf Course, it will not only widen the scope of sports in Anambra with all its attendant benefits but also increase the scope of our coverage as sports writers”, he said.
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