16-year-old Ibironke wins first Oyo junior golf clinic

Segun Ibironke, 16, of Pathfinder College, emerged the winner on Saturday at the first U-17 Oyo State junior golf clinic at Ibadan Golf Club.

The Nigerian News Agency (NAN) reports that Ibironke, son of Oladiran Ibironke, CEO of Dudu Heritage Films, won by gross 96.

The young golder told NAN he didn’t get off to a good start and at one point almost gave up on winning the tournament.

However, he said that somehow he started to play better and ultimately won.

“I feel good to win this tournament because I came from behind to win.

“My long-time goal has been to be one of Nigeria‘s best golfers and I have been playing golf for four years now.

“Honestly, I see this victory as a challenge to get better at golf and to keep striving to be the best,” he said.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who attended the week-long golf clinic closing tournament, said he was happy to be a part of the event.

Makinde urged all participants to maintain sportsmanship, adding that they were all winners.

“The development of sport is one way we can involve the youth of Oyo State and that is why the government is doing everything possible to have our sports facilities modernized to attract talent to these facilities.

“As we can see the return on investment in sport, our athletes at the just concluded National Sports Festival won 31 gold, 30 silver and 43 bronze.

“I saw that it was mainly in swimming that we had won the most gold medals and I called the contractor in charge of the Lekan Salami stadium to hurry and give us an Olympic swimming pool.

“At the next National Sports Festival, Oyo State will compete favorably in swimming.

“Yes, we have made improvements; we performed better at the festival which just ended compared to the previous one.

“Our goal in the next edition is a minimum of 100 gold medals and I know that will happen again during this administration,” he said.

According to Makinde, it is wrong to assume that golf is a game for the elites, especially now that it is now evident that talent exists everywhere.

“We want to attract talent even from those who cannot afford golf equipment. We need to have a program that will give them that opportunity.

“This clinic is good. I would like to say that it will be an annual tournament and I look forward to seeing you all next year.

“I want 30% of the following editions to be for underprivileged children and we will make sure that the place is filled, even if it is to buy them the golf kits,” he said.

NAN reports that 96 children attended the weeklong clinic, attended by students from Vale College, Methodist High School, Concord School, Ibadan International School and America Christian Academy.