Abdullahi wins best gross at Emir Bage birthday kitty

Ibrahim Abdullahi of Lafia Golf Club headlined an impressive roll of honour after claiming the coveted Best Gross prize at the 70th Birthday Kitty organised in celebration of the Emir of Lafia, Retired Justice Sidi Bage, at the Lafia Golf Club in Nasarawa State. The tournament attracted golfers from Lafia and Makurdi Golf Clubs, with […]

Ibrahim Abdullahi of Lafia Golf Club headlined an impressive roll of honour after claiming the coveted Best Gross prize at the 70th Birthday Kitty organised in celebration of the Emir of Lafia, Retired Justice Sidi Bage, at the Lafia Golf Club in Nasarawa State.
The tournament attracted golfers from Lafia and Makurdi Golf Clubs, with eight players emerging winners across the men’s, ladies’ and veterans’ categories in a keenly contested event held to honour the royal father.
Abdullahi’s outstanding performance earned him the men’s Best Gross title, while Godwin Ikwe of Makurdi Golf Club secured the Best Net prize after returning a gross score of 66 and a net score of 63.
Ikwe capped a memorable outing by also winning the Longest Drive and Nearest-to-the-Pin awards in the men’s category, completing a remarkable treble.
Ibrahim Adamu finished as runner-up in the men’s net category with a gross score of 80 and a net score of 68.
In the ladies’ competition, Lafia Golf Club golfers dominated proceedings as Salome Aya claimed the Best Net prize with a gross score of 105 and a net score of 69, while Dorcas Malle won the Best Gross award after posting a gross score of 85.
Malle further underlined her class by taking home the Nearest-to-the-Pin prize, while Precious Shimmer emerged runner-up in the net category with a gross score of 105 and a net score of 69. Shimmer also won the Longest Drive award.
The veterans’ category produced another Lafia Golf Club winner as Balarabe Muhammad claimed the Best Net title with a gross score of 102 and a net score of 74. Tsegba of Makurdi Golf Club finished as runner-up with a gross score of 97 and a net score of 82.
Speaking after the tournament, the Emir of Lafia congratulated all the winners and participants for making the event a memorable celebration of his milestone birthday.
Bage, who is also the Chairman of the Nasarawa State Traditional Rulers Council, reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the Lafia Golf Club and promoting the game across the state.
He particularly commended Balarabe Saad-Muhammad, the Sangarin Dedere, for his commitment to the sport, noting that his success in the veterans’ category reflected his determination to improve.
The Emir also highlighted the health benefits of golf, especially for older people, revealing that he had encouraged fellow traditional rulers in Nasarawa State to embrace the game.
According to him, regular participation in golf promotes physical fitness and helps reduce frequent hospital visits.
“I encouraged other traditional rulers to come and most of them are playing almost at the same level.
“Today he is winning prizes, we are really proud of him; this is a very good sign for us,” he said.
Also speaking, Thadeus Yilmen, North-Central Representative on the Nigerian Golf Federation (NGF), described the Emir as one of Nigeria’s most respected golfing personalities because of his unwavering support for the development of the Lafia Golf Club.
Yilmen disclosed that the federation was considering a special recognition for the Emir in appreciation of his contributions to the growth of golf.
“When I saw the flyer sent to me by the captain, I forwarded it to the President of the NGF and informed him that I was coming to Lafia to support the event,” he said.
Earlier, Lafia Golf Club Captain, Tony Effa, described the Emir as a role model and passionate golfer whose commitment had played a significant role in the growth of the club.