-As IGCC Captain’s Inaugural Tournament ends
The Captain of Ibom Golf and Country Club (IGCC), Mr Isuamfon Archibong, has disclosed that Ibom golf is complementing the vision of the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno for the tourism sector of the State.
Mr Archibong, who spoke with newsmen during the closing ceremony of the tournament on Saturday, March 29, noted that with over 250 golfers from across Nigeria participating in the tournament, the event had significantly boosted the tourism and economic value of Akwa Ibom State.
“Captain’s Inaugural Tournament is day usually set aside by Golf Clubs across the world to honour the new leadership of the Club. This is the first time we are having it in Ibom Golf and Country Club.
“We started on the 27th at the ARISE Park Golf Course built by His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno. It’s a 9 hole championship golf course and about 50 of us played there. On Friday, we had handicap 21 to 36 played here at Ibom Golf Course which was Day 1 of the tournament. And today being Day 2, we had handicap 0 to 20 playing.
“On Day 1, we had over 80 people playing and today, about 120 people played. The theme for this year is Golf and Tourism because we are trying to key into His Excellency’s plan for the State. Akwa Ibom is going big on tourism because it has different vehicles and platforms to drive it, and one of those platforms is golf. If we can archive our goal of making Akwa Ibom the golf destination of Nigeria, we would have contributed significantly to the economy of the State.
“For instance, we have 250 people coming into the State to play since Thursday and they are staying till Sunday and some till Monday. Apart from the flights and hotels they are paying for, they will also patronise many of our local businesses like taxis; different vendors are handling various aspects of our entertainment and refreshments like catering, ushering, and so on. That is money coming into the State.
“We can clearly see the multiplier effect of this tournament on the state’s economy. That is how Ibom golf is complementing the government’s efforts in driving tourism,” he noted.
The Captain further disclosed that the Club is open to more members in order for the Ibom golf course to be fully utilised, saying “Our goal is to ensure that this facility is fully utilised because currently, it is under utilised. A golf course like this should be having between 200 to 400 people everyday.”
He commended Governor Eno for not only recognising the potentials of the golf course but also committing resources to ensure continuous maintenance and rehabilitation of the facility, assuring that Ibom Golf and Country Club will justify government’s investments by adding value to the state’s tourism sector.
Speaking at the cocktail party, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Ibom Air, Mr George Uriesi, noted that apart from being the Title Sponsor of the tournament, the airline was also responsible for bringing most of the visitors to the State, adding that Ibom golf has become a major tourism driver for Akwa Ibom.
“At Ibom Air, we believe that anything that creates the need for people to travel to Akwa Ibom is the reason we exist. We are identifying with the energy of Ibom Golf Club because the energy is effusive and we can see that Ibom Golf Club is repositioning itself as a premier golf club in the sub continent.
“Ibom Golf Club is doing what we like because we are about creating the need for people to travel to Akwa Ibom. And this tournament has made that happen,” he said.
The tournament, which kick-started with a preparatory Per 3 Championship at the ARISE Park Golf Course on Thursday, March 27, also featured a cocktail party on Friday, March 28, and a dinner/presentation of prizes to winners on Saturday, March 29.
