Ibadan: The 4th edition of the Oluyole Amateur Open Golf Tournament 2025, organised by the Ibadan Golf Club (IGC) and Oyo State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, is set to tee off from Aug. 22 to Aug. 24.
The Captain of IGC, Seyi Alaba, stated this at a news conference held on Wednesday in Ibadan to herald the tournament.
He said that at least 150 golfers from different states in Nigeria and from outside the country would converge on the Ibadan golf course for the tournament.
Alaba said that the tournament has become the club’s annual sporting event with huge potential for sports tourism development and a catalyst for the local economy’s growth.
He said that the tournament, apart from its entertainment and health benefits, would bring more revenue to the state coffers and also promote the hospitality sector of the state.
Alaba also said that the Club had embarked on several initiatives to encourage youths to take an interest in the game, thereby changing the narrative that golf was an elitist sport for only the rich, retirees and older generation.
He lauded the convener of the tournament for the infusion of some cultural vibes into the competition.
This, Alaba said, was in line with “Oluyole” identity, which the tournament carries.
“Golf is one of the ways to sell our tourism, hence, Ibadan Golf Club remains the home of golf and its traditions in Nigeria.
“This tournament will go a long way to boost tourism in Ibadan,” he said.
The convener of the tournament, Mr Folarin Laosun, said that the tournament, being an amateur open, would create room for players to learn and encourage them to take professional courses.
He described the initiative as the primary platform for identifying and nurturing promising talents in the golf game.
“Golf is a form of exercise with lots of health benefits, the registration is free, and people can come around to watch the competition for free, “he said.
Earlier, Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatubosun, said that the initiative was to promote the state’s economy through infrastructure and tourism.
The commissioner stated that the state government would prioritise security and infrastructural development to encourage people to visit and invest in the state.
“Sports tourism is one of the classes of tourism that we believe can contribute immensely to our state economy.
“When people come in for sports, they will lodge in hotels, eat our food and patronise our markets, in doing that our economy will grow,” he said.
The overall winner of the tournament will go home with a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) from Carloha Chery Nigeria, one of the sponsors of the tournament. In contrast, winners in various categories will win other consolation prizes.
