Thrilled by the growing standard of the game in Nigeria, U.S-based Anita Uwadia has predicted that the country would soon have players in the world’s major championships.

The 17-year-old Uwadia confirmed her position as the country’s number one junior golfer at just concluded Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) Junior Masters held At the Smokin Hills, Ilara Mokin, Ondo State, where she beat 38n other national players to win the 18-hole competition.

The teenager, who is on a scholarship in an American University to actualise her professional dream in golf, said the rapid rate at which golf is growing at the grassroots in Nigeria means that the country would soon have world-class players.

At the NGF Junior Masters, which held from December 27 to 29, 2015, Uwadia scored 73 gross in the first round, which was one shot over the course par of 72, to Joel lnalegwu of Otukpo Golf Club’s 80, while the national champion, Isife Godsmark, ended on 81.

The second round of 18 holes commenced with 27 players with Uwadia ending on a level par of 72 gross, while Isife played a gross score of 77 to move to the second position with lnalegwu keenly following on 79 Gross.

On the second day, which was the third and final round of the event organised in conjunction with the Ondo State Government, Uwadia played -3 (69 gross) to beat her closest rival, Isife Godsmark of Enugu Golf Club, with 24 shots.

She won with a total of 214 gross score over 54 holes. Isife came second with a total gross score of 238, Inalegwu was third with 241, Yusuf Adams of Ekiti Golf Club was fourth with 244 and Ilori Wonderful of Rossani came fifth with a total gross score of 251 over 54 holes.

Speaking at the end of the competition, Uwadia commended the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) for the standard of organisation, saying, “I am glad that I won this tournament and also glad that golf is improving rapidly in Nigeria.

“It was not like this five years ago, it is amazing the guys are playing very well.”

The African Games gold and silver medalist also commended the NGF for the opportunity provided her to prove herself, while urging the federation not to rest on its oars in its bid to move golf forward in Nigeria.

Also speaking at the event, NGF President, Mohammed Jibril Nazifi, who was represented by the Vice President, Kunle Dada, applauded the scintillating performance of the junior golfers and assured them that the federation would make efforts to ensure Nigerian golf actualised its potential.

An excited special guest of honour, Secretary General of the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC), Babatunde Popoola, who witnessed the medals presentation to Uwadia at the last Africa Youth Games in Botswana, said he was particular pleased that the girl was repeating the same feat at the NGF Junior Masters.

Four years ago, Anita Uwadia enrolled in the Junior Players Golf Academy on Hilton Head, SC, U.S., where she has been honing her skills in the game.

Uwadia is one of the success stories of the NGF youth development programme, which has seen some Nigerian youths taking on the world’s best juniors in major championships.

Thrilled by the performances of the players in Ilara Mokin, NGF’s Youth Development Officer, Emy Ekong, who disclosed that Uwadia would represent Nigeria at the World Junior Masters in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. from July 17 to 21, 2016, said: “I am particularly happy that the year 2015 ended very well for us at the NGF because the children within and outside, made Nigeria proud.

“19-year-old Tokunbo Pedro finished third at the 2015 World Junior Golf Championship in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.; 14-year-old Georgia Oboh was Africa’s finest at the Junior Orange Bowl International Invitational in Georgia, U.S., beating the likes of Naomi, Kenya’s number one junior girl to second place; U.S.-based Anita Uwadia coming back home to lift the Junior Masters’ crown, while Isife Godsmark is the highest scorer having won the major national junior events in Nigeria.

“We have been able to identify other players like Mohammed Aminu, Olalere Olakunle, Alechenu Odeh, Emmanuel Edet, Diana Osmond and Helen Alechenu, among others, who represented us at the last junior event in Kenya.”