By Steve Oma-Ofozor
Otumba Segun Runsewe, the President of Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) has urged golfers to brace up for the new world order in golf development to improve their wellbeing going forward.
Runsewe whose penchant for golf development has never been in doubt made the statement in his address at the just concluded 14th edition of the PGA of Nigeria Qualifying School final examination closing ceremony which held at the Python Golf Club in Port Harcourt Rivers State.
He hailed the PGA of Nigeria for its recent developmental strides and urged the management to kickstart a training programme aimed at skill development, rather than “all playing tour.’
According to him, “Being a professional golfer is not all about playing tournaments; the new world order in the game of golf is also about acquiring skills to enable someone function in other areas – you can coach; you can manage golf course; you can be in the technical departments and other fields of the game.”
“Golf is life and a very lucrative sport business, which can drive tourism more than football for a nation that is serious about it and that is what we’re set to do with the present PGA of Nigeria,” he enthused.
He commended the newly qualified professionals for proving themselves while the exercise lasted, while admonishing them to be worthy ambassadors of the association and country.
Runsewe who on resumption of office as the NGF President for the second time organised the first-ever golf summit, said that the Federation will be partnering with the PGA of Nigeria to ensure the success of the programme when it comes on board, just as he commended the PGA Nigeria for the successful Qualifying School event.
Incidentally, Dr Tony Philmoore, the Executive Director of the PGA of Nigeria corroborated the NGF President and noted that the training programme was a welcome development which will take off in no distant time.
The Executive Director who eulogised the NGF’s President efforts in golf development said, ‘Runsewe’s contributions in golf development cannot be overemphasised; the training will be a six month programme – it’s a “Pro Staff” training and graduates will be certified; we’re also liaising with universities for the (diploma) programme to give it a high level of credibility.”
The Director concluding was quick to say, “Graduates can only be assistant coaches as only the professionals can be head coaches.
