Our academy will put Nigerians on world stage, says Mark

Former Senate President, David Mark, believes with time Nigerians will start competing against the world’s best in major international competitions.

The veteran golfer, a patron of the Oturkpo Golf Club, which has a thriving academy, said the club was set up to nurture world class players, adding that the dividends of the project would put Nigeria on the world map.

Speaking during a Pro-Am tourney, which featured in the programme for his recent 68th birthday celebrations at the club, Mark said, “We want to build the academy to a level where it will regularly represent Nigeria in international competitions.

“I want to see in my life time a graduate of this academy play in world championship; that is the target I have set for the President of the academy, David Mark-Junior.

“These are the boys and girls who give me a lot of joy, that is why I ensured this tournament coincided with my 68 birthday so that I can celebrate it here with them.”

He also said that the academy was set up to give young players a good sense of direction, adding, “If you must play golf in Oturkpo, you must obey the rules of golf because discipline is very important in the game.

“Golf is not like other sports; boys and girls from this golf club have represented Nigeria at international competitions in the last one year and we must uphold that legacy.”

At the end of the competition, Andrew Odoh emerged the overall winner in the professional category after carding a total score of 214 over 54-holes in three days.

Forb that feat, Odoh won N500, 000, while the runner up, Odegha Sunday, who carded a total score of 219, went home with a cheque of N300, 000.

Lucky Onjefu, a Senior Secondary School One (SSS 1) student of Agboko Memorial College Akpegede, Otukpo, won the academy boys category.