Six countries in Owerri for African Golf Tour

• Plans to establish academy in Obinze, Owerri
Over 30 players from six countries have gathered in Owerri to vie for honours in the African Golf Tours, which teed off at the Arsenal Golf and Country Club, 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, Owerri on Wednesday. It will end tomorrow.

Sponsored by foremost golf course promotion outfit, African Golf Tours, the players in the competition are from Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroun, Gabon, and Zimbabwe.

According to African Golf Tours President, Emeka Okata, the body plans to establish an academy, which will train players from age three to become professionals in the sport.

Okata regretted that there were no public golf courses in the country, saying the situation has left the promotion in the hands of the private sector, making it expensive to run.

“About six countries will participate in the tournament from Wednesday through Saturday. We are expecting 30 something players.

“We do not have public golf courses here. Because of it, it becomes expensive to have private golf courses. It is frustrating and expensive.

“We are establishing an academy here soon, which will groom players free of charge.”

He said the established golf course rules would be applied in the Owerri competition, which would reward winners with cash prizes.