Two of Nigeria’s leading professional golfers, Oche Odoh and Gift Willy have been drawn to feature on South Africa’s elite professional tour Sunshine Tour in the month of March.
Odoh, who had left the country early in February said he has also entered to feature in Johannesburg Open billed for February 26 to March 1 at the Royal JHB and Kensington Golf Club.
“I want to take all the chances. I will be arriving South Africa far before Jo’Burg Open gets underway and the plan is to be able to play in. I will be alone here for a while but I am ok with it” the IBB Golf Club Abuja based player said.
Willy who is being held back by the renewal process of his travelling documents says he has set his eyes on the qualifiers for the Africa Open which is set for the Fish River Sun Country Club.
According to him, “I am swinging fine and I am in a very good frame, the African Open is my target and once that is done I will be entering several other events on the Sunshine Tour. I am very positive and look forward to good outcomes.”
The two players will also be playing the Tshwane Open billed for march 12-15 at the Pretoria Country Club before heading for Milvane and Lost City for the Investec Cup the week after.
Willy hinted that his plans after the Investec Cup on March 22 is to head for Gabon in Central Africa where he hopes to feature in the 20th edition of the Moanda Open, a title that has eluded him in the last three years.
“I will be flying down to Gabon to feature in Moanda Open; I believe the story will be different this time.” He said referring to the runner-up finishes he had had in the last three editions. “I am well prepared” he added.
The Director of the Professional Golfers Association of Nigeria, Festus Makelemi says the development is a good one and any effort by the player to keep his form and feature in other challenging tour is encouraged.
“They are professional athletes, our main objective beyond grooming a well-rounded player is to create opportunities for them to excel and that is why they have all the support of the association to seek glory there (in South Africa) and in any other place” he said.
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