By Akeem Abas
Moruf Adegesin of Abeokuta Golf Club on Sunday emerged winner of the 7th Sovereign Trust Insurance Golf Open.
The three-day tournament held at Ibadan Golf Club (IGC) had participants drawn from across the country.
Adegesin, who is on handicap four, played 148 gross to emerge overall winner, while Evelyn Oyome, a Nigeria female golfer, emerged winner in the ladies category after playing 158 gross.
Speaking after the award, Adegesin dedicated the prize to his wife, whom he described as a strong pillar behind his successes.
“It has been a long time that I played the game. I had thought I won’t make it to the tournament due to financial constraint.
“To God be the glory, I made it to the tournament and won against all odds,” he said.
Adegesin appreciated Sovereign Trust Insurance PLC (STi) for hosting the competition and IGC for the warm reception accorded him.
Mr Olumide Oyediran, the IGC Captain, said the tournament had continued to be the most important on the club’s calendar of events and well attended by golfers across the country.
Oyediran, who was represented by Col. Ade Sunmonu, IGC’s 2nd Vice Captain, expressed the club’s gratitude to the company for its commitment and support to the club on the tournament.
“Through good and bad times, their dedication remains steadfast. May the relationship continue to grow to greater heights in coming years,” he said.
He announced STI Plc as corporate member of IGC, saying staff of the company are beneficiaries of the new membership status.
Mr Babajide Olatunde-Agbeja, the Chairman, Planning Committee, said that the company has confirmed their commitment to continue the sponsorship of the tournament in perpetuity in spite of leadership change.
He said that STI Plc increased their sponsorship by 20 percent for the 2019 edition due to high inflationary trend in the Nigerian economy.
Mr Olaotan Soyinka, STI’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, said it was a clear testament that the tournament has come to stay for good in the annals of Nigeria sports’ competitions.
Soyinka, who was represented by Mr Kayode Adigun, STI General Manager (Finance), expressed appreciation to IGC for the opportunity to host the competition annually in the last seven years.
He said that as a socially responsible corporate entity, they would continue to support as well as promote sporting excellence and qualitative recreation both locally and internationally.
“We hope we can always count on your support in growing this tournament to the international level as a leading brand in the comity of insurance companies in Nigeria and beyond,” he said.
Among other winners in the various categories were Alfa Sanusi (Professional), Tajudeen Ajayi (Men Net), Helen Achelenu (Ladies Net) and Sulaiman Hassan (Guest Men).
Others are Chief Seye Omisore (Veteran Men), Mrs Ranti Olurin (Veteran Ladies), Lekan Ogunbameru (IGC Men), Sade Ajala (IGC Ladies) and Tayo Ogundipe (Insurance Staff Prize).
Eze Sunday and Mary Okunola, won the men and female categories of Longest Drive respectively, while Lekan Ogunbameru and Hannah Obadina won the male and female categories of Nearest to the Pin category respectively.
Winners of the categories went home with trophies and various prizes such as household equipment and golf kits. (NAN)
