Olashores plan world-class course in Osun State

Golf, the big event for both the low and mighty will soon get a new course. And it will be a world-class facility to be sited near the renowned Olashore International School in Iloko-Ijesha, Osun State. It is the brainchild of the Olashore family and the Royal Park Hotel, whose aim is to increase more Nigerians’ interest in golf and also make the country a potential destination for the sport.

According to the promoters, the 18-hole golf course is six kilometre long with nine holes located on three kilometre each, situated on 35 hectares of land (area), on about six to 6.5 kilometres walking distance. It also has Par 3s holes, which is 310m long, Par 4s holes, which is 350m long, and Par 5s holes, which is 500m long.

Speaking at the formal advance presentation of the course at the weekend, the Chairman Board of Governors, Olashore International School and the Royal Park Hotel, Prince Abimbola Olashore, explained, “our goal is to make Iloko-Ijesha, Osun State a golf tourism destination.

“From Iloko here, within one hour drive, are various tourist attractions, we have the Osun grove, Ikogosi Warm Spring, Ijesha Waterfall, UNESCO Heritage, and so on.

Iloko, the home of Olashore International School is strategically in the middle.” Prince Olashore affirmed the union of education, leisure and lifestyle, saying the trio is a continuum. He added: “Lifestyle is a blend of what you do socially and family wise, while education is a life -long teaching that doesn’t stop.

If you do sports in an education center, it means you are learning in an environment that promotes a very lifestyle. Golf is a social game for networking and character building.

Though people see golf as expensive as a game player by the upper class, it teaches patience and peace of mind. And that is why we want to introduce it to our children at a tender age.” He revealed that an Interim Committee was set to fast track the completion of the project and bring it to world-class standards.

Prince Olashore listed the members of the Interim Golf Committee to include Prince Tayo Haastrup, Gbenga Onigbogi, Chief Akin Akinola, Dr. Akin Moses, Seyi Onajide, Kunle Ogunbufunmi, Tunde Fagbenle, Oluseyi Lufadeju, Femi Feyide, Ayo Onajide, and Prince Lekan Olashore. Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the Interim Golf Committee, Prince Tayo Haastrup, said, “Golf is relaxing and great for networking. We thank God we are having the first of its kind golf course in Iloko-ijesha.

This will not only boost the interest in golf outside the big cities, but it also promotes leisure and overall wellbeing. This will be good eventually not only for the people of Osun state, but for the game of golf at large.”

One of the dignitaries at the event, a former Golf Captain, General Victor Odeka, said he was delighted at the development, adding, “most people at this inaugural meeting are from this area, and they have been longing for a golf course so that home coming residents, corporates, parents of Olashore School and tourists desiring a serene environment, will find the proposed golf course in Osun State a major attraction.

And golf is certainly not for the rich alone, or old people.” Also speaking on the salutary effects of golf, Principal of Olashore International School, Derek Smith, said: “I think golf is a great sport for the children to learn, and it’s really interesting.

On the game, you learn self-control. Now that there’s going to be a golf course here, everyone has the opportunity to learn lessons in the morning before school hours, in the evenings, and during weekends. In spite of the fact that we have competitions round the school, I think some of our students can partake in the competition.”