21st March, 2012
In its determination to consistently raise Nigeria profile in golf, Heineken has thrown its weight behind the 4th LM Open Golf tournament, held at the prestigious LeMeridien Hotel Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The tournament, which took place last weekend, came to a thrilling climax with Prince Eddie Peters writing his name in gold as the only player that played Hole-in-one (playing from the teeing ground straight to hole) in the tournament.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Emete Tonukari, Public Affairs Manager-East, Nigerian Breweries Plc., said the reason behind the sponsorship remains the company’s unwavering commitment to the development of golf and other sports in Nigeria.
“Our company has decided to associate itself once again with golf. Sports in Nigeria are going through tough times and we intend to help build the image and standard of the sport through continuous prop up.” she said.
During the two day tournament, which had 118 golfers across the country participating, the ‘putting green’ was characterised by incredible swings and show of strength with passion from players, who slugged it out for the top position.
As the rules of the game became inflexible, the heat grew making some players ‘divot’ and crashing out of the competition.
Some of the top players hitting the broad fairway of the LeMeridien course included former Secretary to the Federal Government, Babagana Kingibe, former Commissioner for Works, Akwa Ibom State, Akaninyene Udi, Seyi Siwoku, M.D. Jungle Films works and Akpabio Usenobong, a Special Adviser to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
Prince Peters, a 65-year-old man based in Calabar in Cross Rivers States, who had never made hole-in-one in a tournament before made history at the Tournament.
According to him, “though during training he made the Hole-in-one but I had never made such feat in a tournament. I have been playing golf since when I was less than five years old.
“The golf course in Calabar is just behind our house and its either I go with my father or walked down myself. I promised during training for this tournament that I am going to repeat what I did at the training and now I’ve made history,” he revealed.
—Adebobola Alawode