By Udoh Ndifreke, Abuja
The President of the Nigeria Golf Federation, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, commended Nigeria’s female golf sensation, Georgia Oboh, for her recent victory at the John Shippen Women’s Invitational in Michigan, U.S.
Recalling that the 23-year-old Oboh captured the 2024 John Shippen Women’s Invitational and earned exemptions to compete in two LPGA tournaments – the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give and the Dow Championship.
Oboh will tee it up alongside the world’s best female golfers at the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give starting June 13, after shooting 69-70—139 on the same course Tuesday and Wednesday to earn a three-stroke victory at the SHIPPEN event.
Runsewe, who gave the commendation in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, said that Oboh’s victory was an inspiration to other children back home and a testament to the fact that hard work pays.
“Congratulations to our very own Georgia Oboh on your well-deserved victory at the John Shippen Women’s Invitational at Blythefield Country Club in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
“Your victory is indeed a fulcrum of great possibilities and renewed hope for Nigeria and Nigerians.
“We believe in you to keep the Nigerian flag flying high and keep doing your very best, to ensure that you represent our dear country as a good ambassador of the game of golf,” he said.
Another Nigerian female pro golfer, Anita Uwadia, tied for third position with Ashley Shaw of the U.S. in the same tournament, making it the first time in an international professional ladies’ golf tournament where two Nigerians made the top three.
The NGF president noted that the performance of the girls was a very rare one and not a mean feat.
He added that they had both distinguished themselves as the very first Nigerians and one of the few black professional female golfers on the top stage.
He said that the federation would continue to support the golfers, to ensure that they reach their full potential as they continue to make the country proud and showcase themselves to the world.
He also advised parents to always support and encourage their children to start playing golf at an early age, adding that it was a sport they could be engaged in for the rest of their lives.
“Hand your child a golf club, and you might be surprised what happens.
“Your child might not be the next Tiger Woods, but golf can make a big impact in a young life.
“Kids can benefit from the sport mentally, physically, and emotionally. The sport can set them up for success as they get older.
“Many of the skills learned on the course translate to real life,” he said.
Oboh and her chosen partner will compete in the Dow Championship starting June 27 in Midland, Michigan.
The John Shippen Women’s Invitational, in which Oboh and Uwadia participated, is a series of competitions created to provide playing opportunities on the LPGA Tour and PGA Tour for the top Black amateur and professional women and men golfers.
The events are named after John Shippen, Jr., who was both the first American-born golf professional and the country’s first Black golf professional.
