Smokin’ Hills Resort plans first Royal tourney

After a successful Elizabeth Wuraola Ojo Memorial Championship, operators of the Smokin Hills Golf Resort, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, plan to host another monumental competition, tagged Royal; Golf Tournament.

The Royal Golf Tournament, scheduled to run from March 24 to 26, 2016, will feature only traditional rulers from across the country.

According to Prince Bayo Aderinto, who is the Manager, Marketing and Promotions, the event is in line with the vision of Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, founder of the resort & Elizade Nigeria Ltd, to use golf as a tool for national unity and development.

He confirmed that the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Saad Abubakar IV, has accepted to be the royal guest of honour, while Oba Samuel Adewole, Alara of Ilara Mokin and the Ajero of Ijero would be the royal hosts.

Top golfing traditional rulers expected at the occasion are Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Okukenu II (Alake of Egba Land), Alhaji Najib Hussin Adamu (Emir of Kazaure, Jigawa State), Alhaji Muhammadu Nuhu Sanusi (Emir of Dutse, Jigawa State), Alhaji Zubairu Mai Gwari (Emir of Birnin Gwari, Kaduna), Alhaji Auwal Ibrahim (Emir of Suleja) and Alhaji Adamu Maje Haruna (Emir of Hadejia, Jigawa State).

Also expected to partake in the royal tournament are the Igwe of Orlu, Dr. Patrick Acholonu; the Amanyanabo of Twon Bras, King Alfred Diette Spiff; the Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Achebe; Ugo Obi Ralph Ekezie; Obama Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife and Eze G.C. Adikwu of Imo State among many others.

Smokin Hills Golf Resort, Ilara-Mokin is the largest privately owned sporting facility in Nigeria and among the top three golf courses in Africa.

“All I can say at this point in time is that the sky will be too near in future for Smokin Hills because it has continued to position itself with tournaments of this nature and the next destination is to invite famous golfers like Tiger Woods, Mcllroy and many others to come,” said Prince Aderinto.

He added that ever since it was opened in 2010, the course has hosted a lot of major golf tournaments, such as the Elizabeth Wuraola Ojo Memorial Golf Tournament, CMCL Golf Championships, NAPE Golf Tournament and attracted over 500 amateur and professional golfers with diverse business interests from all over Nigeria and abroad.

He disclosed that already, various companies and multinationals have shown interest to sponsor this epoch making event.