By ANDRE BISYIT
The Plateau Unity Peace Cup, a week-long golf tournament held in Rayfield, Jos, has ended with Izang Ayuba emerging winner of the professional category.
The tournament, held at the Rayfield Golf Course in Jos, attracted top golfers from across the country, including former governor and Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District, Simon Bako Lalong, who said the competition would become an annual event.
He maintained that the tournament had demonstrated to the world that peace has returned to Plateau State, and commended the Rayfield Golf Club for organising it and maintaining the course in good condition.
Rayfield Golf Club, established in 1916, is the oldest in Nigeria and remains the only course that can be remodelled at any time.Lalong also encouraged members of the public to take up golf, urging them to reject the perception that it is an elite sport for the rich.
The Chairman of the Plateau State Golfers Association, Theadius Yilmen, who is also a member of the Nigeria Golfers Federation, explained that the tournament was organised to raise funds to remodel the course and clubhouse in order to meet its status as the oldest golf club in Nigeria.
He noted that the federation supported the tournament, describing it as evidence that peace had returned to Jos, and expressed satisfaction that the top three professional players were from Plateau State, saying it confirmed Plateau as the home of golf.
In the professional category, Izang Ayuba emerged winner, Jonathan Bengeh came second, while Samuel Igyem finished third.In the ladies’ category, Rachael Danjuma won the trophy, Tina Micah came second, while Amina Wilfred placed third.
The tournament featured over sixty professional players, while over one hundred amateurs participated in the maiden edition.