Udie, Nkposong, Dan Claim top honours at Calabar golf tourney

It was a weekend of remarkable swings and spectacular finishes as Fidel Udie emerged overall winner of the Governor’s Golf and Business Tournament, held at the Calabar Golf Club and sponsored by First Bank of Nigeria. The tournament, which drew 80 golfers from 10 states across Nigeria — including Lagos, Rivers, Enugu, and Edo — […]

It was a weekend of remarkable swings and spectacular finishes as Fidel Udie emerged overall winner of the Governor’s Golf and Business Tournament, held at the Calabar Golf Club and sponsored by First Bank of Nigeria.

The tournament, which drew 80 golfers from 10 states across Nigeria — including Lagos, Rivers, Enugu, and Edo — was described by organizers as a landmark effort to position Cross River State as a leading destination for golf and investment opportunities.

Other top performers included Bassey Nkposong, who claimed the Best Net Winner title, while PK Bello triumphed in the Veterans Category. In the Ladies Category, Gladness Dan outclassed her contenders to clinch first place, with Ray Ovat and Mike Odere emerging winners in the Division 1 and Division 2 categories respectively.

Receiving their trophies amid applause, the winners commended the organizers and sponsors for staging what they described as one of the most exciting and well-organized tournaments in recent years.

Chief Executive Officer of First Bank Group, Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, reaffirmed the bank’s long-standing commitment to supporting sports as a means of fostering growth and community development.

“We have been in Calabar for over 100 years, supporting businesses and working with government to drive development. Golf is life, golf is health, golf is business. We’re here to entrench and promote golf and attract investments,” he said.

Alebiosu expressed satisfaction that the partnership between First Bank and the Cross River State Government was reigniting interest in golf and reinforcing Calabar’s reputation as a hub for sports tourism. He described golf as a game that nurtures discipline, focus, and strategic thinking — all vital ingredients for leadership and enterprise.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Governor Bassey Edet Otu congratulated the winners and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to developing sports as a tool for empowerment and economic growth.

“We are looking to actually promote golf. Sports is now business, and we are making sure our youths are encouraged to see it as such. Golf, in particular, has enormous attraction, and we intend to develop it into a major part of our economic plan,” the Governor stated.

Also speaking, Vice Captain of the Calabar Golf Club, Mr. Anietie Okon, reflected on the spirit of camaraderie that defines the sport.

“Amateur golfers don’t play for money. The real trophy for us is a new friend, a new business partner,” he said.

Cross River State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Michael Odere, emphasized that the Governor’s Golf and Business Tournament blends leisure with meaningful engagement, fostering both sporting excellence and business networking.