Port Harcourt club captain promotes values of golf

Captain of the Rumukurushi Golf Club, Port Harcourt, Augustine Igbuku, an amateur golfer, has enumerated the gains in playing golf, saying it promotes integrity and development reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Speaking on Monday on the sidelines of a two-day Golf Invitational Tournament held at Rumukurushi Golf Club, Port Harcourt, Igbuku debunked claims by golf enthusiasts that the game was exclusively for prominent personalities.

He said the game could be played and enjoyed by both young and old, provided such individuals were fit and patient.

Igbuku added, ‘‘the game of golf is improving in the country but could be better appreciated with more sponsorship and awareness.

‘‘Golfing is a great game that promotes integrity, discipline, development and fitness that individuals, corporate organisations and government should promote.

‘‘Through sponsorship, a lot of people in the streets can be engaged meaningfully to reduce insecurity and improve the society in general.”

Igbuku noted that golfing was among the cheapest sports to go into when compared with other popular games in the country.

He added that he was optimistic that with adequate sponsorship, talents could be discovered and nurtured to represent the country at major international golf tournaments.

According to him, it is strange that a country, which has a population of more than 170 million, does not have any one representing it at global golf tournaments.

‘‘Individuals, corporate organisations and government must do the needful to put Nigeria and Africa on the golfing map, especially with the budding talents available,’’ he added.