The fifth CIO Golf Championship billed for this week 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.
The tourney teed off on Sunday with kids and youth day.
Some of the players and countries that have signed on to be part of the professional round that starts on Thursday, November 14, include Nelson Mudanyi (Kenya), Ronald Ruguayo (Uganda), Richard Kouakou (Ivory Coast), Greg Snow (England), Bulabula Michael (Cameroon), Luwis Abaga (Equatorial Guinea), Prince Agyiri (Ghana), Njoroge Kibugu (Kenya), and Jean-Romaric (Ivory Coast).
Gift Willy, the defending champion of the event, said he has had great exposure in playing a number of tours across Africa this year courtesy of his win at the fourth edition, and he is prepared to defend the title.
“The CIO title means a lot to me, and it has equally done a lot to my golf career. I must play well, and as a show of gratitude for the support I received from winning the event. We have a great field this year, and I am prepared for the title defence.”
Chairman of the hosts club’s management committee, Ikenna Okafor, said the championship will continue to project Nigeria’s professional golf potential.
“This week is a special week for Nigerian golf, as we have positioned the 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.
“We believe beyond the prize, the quality of the 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 are being supported.”