Richard Animam
Golfers and   enthusiasts of the  sport were last weekend treated to an exciting tournament as the ancient city of Benin, played host to the NPDC Golf Classics, sponsored by Stanbic IBaTC Bank. Henry Osawe, a 73-year old golfer,  surprised all  by shooting 71 nett to emerge the overall winner of the two-day tourney, 36 holes event.

Benin Golf Club, hosting its first tournament after the construction of its new Club House, witnessed a large turn-out. Captain of the club, Dr. Charles Ajayi expressed delight at the support given the tourney by Stanbic IBTC Bank. He  lauded the bank for identifying with the goals of the Benin Golf Club, which includes creating the environment and ambience for exciting tournaments for golfers.

“We’re grateful to all our sponsors for this NPDC Golf Classics. We hope that you will always be around for more tournaments. With our new Club House, the Benin Golf Club is poised to host more tournaments and we will count on your support,” Dr. Ajayi stated.

The Classic featured golfers like the son of the Oba of Benin, Prince Aghatise Erediauwa, former governor of the defunct Bendel State, Brigadier-General Cletus Emein (rtd.) and former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi. Prince Erediauwa won the men’s event with  72-nett, while Gen. Emein won the veterans’ event with  74-Nett. The high-point of the final day’s performance was a performance of ‘hole-in-one’ by Joseph Kayoma, the Benin Golf Club’s Competition and Handicap  secretary.

Daniel Oshiogwemoh, Regional Manager (South East), Stanbic IBTC Bank, who carded 85 nett, expressed delight at the outcome of the tournament. Oshiogwemoh, who plays off handcap 25, promised to improve his performance at subsequent tournaments.

Stanbic IBTC sponsored the event as part of its strong support for initiatives such as sports that have the potential of enhancing community development. The bank’s corporate social responsibility initiatives cut across various facets of human endeavour such as health, education and economic empowerment. Managing Director of Stanbic IBTC, Mr. Chris Newson stated recently that the bank will continue to support initiatives that would have positive impact on the lives of Nigerians.

“Sponsorship of the Benin Golf Classics is in line with our corporate social responsibility vision for Nigeria. We are investing in schemes in which different people, no matter their stations in life, would derive some measure of benefits,” he added.

Since its formation in 2008 from a merger between the erstwhile Stanbic Bank and IBTC Chartered Bank respectively, Stanbic IBTC Bank has remained at the forefront of financing major infrastructural projects cutting across different economic sectors in Nigeria. The competition attracted players from several golf clubs across Nigeria.