The chief executive of the glamorous international golf gathering, PGA Europe, Ian Randell has declared how excited he is to welcome Nigeria into the fold, sports247.ng gathered.
Speaking against the backdrop of Nigeria’s enrollment with Botswana, Randell said it is as a result of a long line of golf activities the country has embarked upon across all levels of the sport.
Nigeria joined Botswana in becoming the latest African countries to be conferred with the PGA of Europe affiliate Member Country status.
PGA of Nigeria secretary, Jide Bolaji said this comes on the heels of several strides by the body, which was founded in 1969 and has a membership of 173 professionals in 70 clubs.
Bolaji added that PGA of Nigeria, an affiliate of Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), has now increased its membership from four, with almost ten per cent of its members with links in Ghana, Cameroon, Togo and Senegal.
He added that various community affiliates and state governments have provided golf lessons in schools for youth empowerment, alleviating the pangs of poverty, generating employment and helping the environment.
Bolaji added: “The Nigerian PGA aims to promote and develop golf, seek career development and capacity building opportunities.
“We have a clear strategic plan to achieve this and update our members in the profession.
“The future of golf in our country is bright. There are many opportunities to for us to develop and, now with support of the PGAs of Europe, our future can be even brighter.”
On his part, Randell stated: “We are delighted that the PGA of Botswana and PGA of Nigeria have taken steps required to fulfill our membership requirements and standards for Affiliate Membership.”
