Ghanaian golfer makes history in Nigeria

FORTY-FIVE-YEAR old former leader of the Professional Golfers' Association of Nigeria (PGAN), Ghana's Emos Korblah, says he is deeply elated to join the ranks of winners of the Nigeria Cup professionals event.

He becomes the first non-Nigerian and African to win The Nigerian Cup at the golf section of Ikoyi Club.

In the 18-hole event, which prize money was recently jerked up from N1 million to N2 million, shot a resounding 3-under par 68 to book a place in the winners' chart.

Korblah, who holds dual tour card from Nigeria and Ghana PGA tours, on Tuesday shoved aside his Nigerian counterparts to pick the coveted prize in the 14th edition of the championship, which also marks Nigeria's golden jubilee.

Asked the secret behind his success despite being older than most Nigerian pros, he said that, 'winning tournaments does not have anything to do with ones age, but comes when hard work and opportunity meets.'

He added: 'I work very hard on my own, which is why I win some of these tournaments from time to time. I know for a fact that Nigerian players, especially the young ones, are also good, but sometimes, after working very hard, the opportunity just comes and I grab it, especially with one-day tournaments like this that can be won by anybody.'

The winner of the 2010 Oturkpo Open, who described Nigeria as his second home, appealed to concerned authorities to work towards bringing back the Nigeria Open, stating: 'When that happens, everyone will see that Nigerian pros also have what it takes to carpet European and American tour players.'

Sponsors of the  event were UBA Plc, Oando Plc, CMCL Golf Tours, Zenith Bank, Diamond Bank and SNEPCO/Shell.