Encomium
THE MTN World Golfers Championship, South West regional qualifiers held on Saturday, June 28, 2014, at Lakowe Lakes Golf and Country Estate, Ajah, Lagos. It was a gathering of the rich and the influential that saw 15 golfers qualify to represent the region at the national finals in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, later in the year.
It was also an event characterized by style, class and entertainment.
ABOUT LAKOWE LAKES
Lakowe Lakes Golf and Country Estate is a new luxury haven for the rich. Located along Lekki-Epe Expressway, it’s 40 kilometers from the city of Lagos. Described as Nigeria’s best kept secret, the serene and conducive place boasts of a golf course that has 18-holes constructed from natural swampland. The course occupies a 308 hectares land and overlooks a 55 hectare man-made lake. The golf course has a club house, a large marquee where delicious meals are served by the Four Points by Sheraton.
ARRIVAL
As early as 6 a.m, golfers around Lagos and beyond cruised in their automobiles into the luxurious Lakowe Lakes Golf and Country Estate, Lagos, for the South West regional qualifier of the MTN World Golfers Championship. Participants teed off at 7 a.m, just few minutes after the early morning rainfall.
THE CONTEST
Players took turns on the luxury course to tee off in contest for the available ticket to the finals later in the year. The early morning sun shone mildly over the turf until around 12 noon when a heavy rainfall drenched the players.
HOW WINNERS EMERGED
Considering the heavy nature of the rain which made players beat a retreat into the club house, the game was halted and results determined by what every available player did at their first round, and winners were announced. The winners will represent the South West Nigeria at the national final in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
NETWORKING, BACKSLAPPING INSIDE THE CLUB HOUSE
As usual, when golfers assemble, they network, make new friends in an ambience of entertainment. The scenario at Lakowe, Lagos on Saturday, June 28, 2014, was no different. MTN staffers, their partners and high-end users of their network chatted and mixed freely, while the DJ provided music of the moment. Comedian Bash supplied all the jokes. The club house is a large marquee planted near the golf course.
EXOTIC CARS ON PARADE
Latest automobiles brought into the venue by golfers dotted the landscape at Lakowe Lakes Golf and Country Estate. There were in the parking space latest Mercedes E-class, Land Rover jeep’s newest edition and many more.
DEPARTURE
At around 5.30 p.m, when the winners that would go to the national finals have been announced and given their trophies, it was time to leave and meet another day. Participants hopped into their vehicles and drove off into the quiet and serene Lekki-Epe Expressway.
‘We believe in relationship’ – MIKE IKPOKI, CEO MTN Nigeria
AS the CEO of telecoms company, MTN Nigeria, Michael Ikpoki believes sponsoring the game of golf is a way to connect with the brand valued users.
How would you rate this qualifier?
It’s been a good championship, this is the seventh edition. We are very proud to be part of the game every year. It gives us the opportunity to connect with our high valued customers, our stakeholders, partners and every other persons associated with the MTN brand. We are proud to say we are the biggest sponsor of golf in Nigeria and we will continue to support the game.
When do we have our own Tiger Woods?
We do all kinds of events that enable us identify young talents, this is one of them. We encourage golf clinics and we encourage our stakeholders to be part of it because the more exposure we give the more opportunities there are to discover talents.
Who really plays golf?
It is a matter of interest. Some come with their families, while some encourage their friends to play the game and they support. It’s an exciting and interesting game, it’s a game that builds friendship. The key factor is integrity. On our own part as MTN, we will continue to provide platforms to everybody to play and with this we discover talents. We do a lot of events that promote fitness and well being of the people. The whole idea is to make the lives of our customers brighter, the youth should take up sport and shun unproductive vices.
What has been the driving force for MTN to keep supporting the game every year?
Golf is a game of relationship. One of the things we’ll continue to be passionate about is to maintain a relationship with stakeholders, customers and partners. For us at MTN, relationship is important. This is one of the platforms to bring our stakeholders together.
‘I can’t do without golf’ – JOE GADZAMA, SAN
LEGAL practitioner, Chief Joe Gadzama came all the way from Abuja (Federal Capital Territory) to participate in the South West regional qualifiers. He came as a guest player, and he shared his story.
You are in Lagos for the qualifier?
As a guest. I came all the way from IBB Golf Course, Abuja.
How long have you been playing the game?
Since 2000 in Abuja, I have been around the world playing the game. This Lakowe Lakes is unique and special, I heard about it months ago and I thought I should come and see it myself.
What is your level of progress in the game?
I am enjoying the game, I can’t do without golf. There is awareness about the game now, you find out among a family there is always a golfer either the husband or the wife would be playing. You hardly hear anybody who play golf suffer stroke, stress or body pain. It’s a game for everybody, young and old.
Since you started, how many trophies have you won?
I can’t count, so many over the years. Lagos, Abuja, in my village. It’s not about winning trophies, it’s about enjoying the game, meeting new friends and renewing old relationships.
How often do you play?
I play every Saturday and probably on Wednesday if I have the time. Once there is a public holiday, I play. The only thing that takes me away from golf on Saturday is if I have an important wedding. If possible I attend the wedding in the morning and return later in the day. It has become part of me, that is why I travelled all the way from Abuja to Lagos not minding the expenses.
‘My greatest strength in the golf’ – TIM AYOMIKE
BUSINESSMAN Tim Ayomike is the overall winner of the South West regional qualifier which held on Saturday, June 28, 2014. He will lead other 14 golfers to the national finals later in the year.
You are the overall winner, what special thing should we expect from you?
This is just the qualifier, I will go to Akwa Ibom and try my best. I am looking forward to the national finals.
How would you rate your performance last year?
I haven’t played for quite sometime now.
And now that you’re getting back to form, what should we expect?
The very best.
The rain disrupted proceedings today, yet you still made the final?
Yes, that is why in golf you have to start off fast and very well. I started very well.
Other winners will be in Uyo later this year, how are you preparing to meet them?
I know my skill and competence.
What is your greatest strength in this game?
My approach is very strong and I am experienced. I have been playing for nine years now.
How many trophies?
I have lost count.
‘My husband introduced me to the game’ – CANDY AGWU
SHE is the only female among those who qualified to go to the national finals. The businesswoman told us her husband introduced her to the game.
For how long have you been playing?
Five years.
What fascinates you about the game?
My husband introduced me to it, he said I should play golf so that I would understand why he took a lot of time away from home on the golf course. It is a very addictive and intense sport, it is also a game of integrity.
How do you cope whenever your own interest clashed with his?
So far, no interest has clashed because we both play the game and we understand what it takes to play the game.
You will be in Uyo later in the year, what should we expect from you?
I will put in my best, God help me.
For how long have you been married to your husband?
17 years, but I have known him for 22 years.
What do you do?
I run my own company, it is a gift company
– Story and interviews by FOLUSO SAMUEL
