Arik Changes Golf Order at Independence Day Cup

Nigerian flight operator, Arik Air has said it is set for a long-haul association with the game of golf. The assurance followed its grand entry to the game in form of sponsorship activation at the Independence Day Cup at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

The first known golf activity by the company that runs both local and international flight operations happened on the day Nigeria was commemorating its 53rd anniversary.

Golf watchers have seen the sponsorship of the tournament that left a lasting memory for all, will bring new order to golf sponsorship and redefine lifestyle on the fairways.

The week-long tournament was organised by the IBB International Golf and Country Club and attracted the crème of the country’s political moguls, business leaders and members of the diplomatic corps.
The ceremonial tee-off was performed by Senator Isaiah Balat, who represented Vice President Namadi Sambo.

Balat later played the ceremonial four-ball with a group of others which included the Chairman of Arik Air, Sir Johnson Arumeni-Ikhide, Captain of IBB Club, Debo Olateju and the Managing Director of Arik Air, Chris Ndulue.

Arumeni-Ikhide, who was full of excitement as he approached the first tee, told reporters that the company was motivated into the sponsorship because it believed in the unity and indivisibility of Nigeria.

He said Arik Air chose golf and spared no expenses for the Independence Day events because it wanted to bring people together and to promote friendship.

“Nigeria belongs to all of us and I don’t think anything is too small to spend on unity. We derive a great pleasure to be a part of the activities to mark Nigeria’s 53rd Independence activities. We are proud to serve Nigeria which is work in progress and I think with the right attitude we get there” Arumeni- Ikhide said.

Balat, who was a former minister of state for works and housing and a senator representing Kaduna South, conceded that it had been a long time since IBB Club derived a massive sponsorship on the scale seen at the golf course at the occasion under focus.
He asked Arik Air to sustain the tempo given that most of its patrons are golfers and regular travellers on the local and international routes.

Arumeni- Ikhide said the company boasted of some of the best planes in the aviation industry and is concerned about passengers’ comfort. He said the airline would soon commence regular flights to new routes like Dubai, Europe and Brazil.

The company mounted a miniature plane on the golf course and inside the club house. It also recreated its cutting edge on board service and hospitality by remodeling the Kira Bar where those discerning business travellers flying in the Premier Business Class will be also be able to relax and unwind in Arik’s exclusive on- board bar and lounge facility.

Inside the corporate tent were cabin hostesses who served golfers snacks and stemming hot coffee and tea while they waited for the starter to announce their tee off time.
Later in the day, a marquee tent was sandwiched between holes number 10 and 18 where golfers who had just completed their round were lavished with choice drinks, canapés and other finger foods.

The visiting delegation of Achimota Golf Club, Ghana led by Rene Gamali- Kwame, played an international match play with the host club, IBB International Golf and Country over two days.

The Ghanaians, who traditionally visit Abuja whenever Nigeria is marking its Independence day, were trounced 51 ½ - 23 ½ after losing both the single and double matches.
The cynosure of all eyes at the event, however, was Oludare Bello who posted 41 stableford points to emerge as the overall winner.
Bello, an 8-handicapper and former Captain of IBB Club, won the Independence Day trophy, commemorative plaques and a free Arik Air business class flight ticket on a chosen international route.

Another winner was Ado Samba who survived the battle of wit to claim the men prize in division one category. The shot-maker, who plays golf off handicap 11, narrowly edged out Dipo Sanya by one point after returning 38points.  Emeka Okatta was also one of the players in the chasing pack. He finished third after beating K. Ndubuisi on countback (36 points).

Chris Shaiyen bagged 37 points and the Division 2 trophy at the expense of Tsengu Tsegba also on countback rule, while Rachel Danjuma beat Alice Yaduma by two points on the strength of the 36 points she tallied to secure the ladies division title for players from handicap 0-20 flight category. Faridah Wada and Sandra Suwa were both seven points adrift of the lead.
Mirabel Edozie proved to be too much for the rest of the field in the female division 2 category. She emerged the winner after amassing 36 points, four more than Ekanem Ekwueme.

The professional competition was won by Gboyega Oyebanji who beat Oche Odoh and Aminu Baba by one shot after he posted score of a one over par 73.

Culled from Thisday