10th Awa Ibrahim Junior Golf Championship excites enthusiasts
Organisers of the 10th Awa Ibraheem Junior Golf championship scheduled to hold from Oct. 19 to 21 in Lagos said it would live up to its billing as a junior ranking golf tournament in Nigeria.
The Technical Director and Team Lead, Jide Bolaji, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.
He said all the participants would abide by the rules of the game in line with international standards.
The Awa Ibraheem Junior Golf Championship, sponsored by a golf enthusiast, Awa Ibraheem, is one of the junior ranking golf championships in Nigeria.
Bolaji said about 110 cadet golfers had been registered so far by the technical team of the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) based on their National Order of Merit.
“The event shall be played in accordance with the rules of golf by the R&A and the USGA, Awa Ibraheem Junior Championship rules and the local rules of Ikeja Golf Club.
“We will only have players screened by the Technical Team on Thursday, Oct. 19 in the draws. Players must attend the screening exercise with their birth certificates or age declaration on Thursday, Oct. 19.
“Falsification of age shall attract not only disqualification but suspension from playing in future tournaments.
“In addition, any parent, state official, coach or accompanying adult found to have collaborated in an attempt to cheat shall be heavily sanctioned,” he said.
Bolaji also restated that the cadet golfers would be allowed to express themselves on the gold course without undue interference by their parents or coaches.
“No state official, parent, coach or accompanying adult will be allowed on the course.
“We are pleading with these actors to allow the children to express themselves without any overbearing influence.
“Also, players from outside Lagos shall be provided with accommodation, but there would be no accommodation for parents, state officials, coaches or accompanying adults.
“We will only welcome adults as volunteers whose wards are not among the players, they are encouraged to assist as marshals on the course. Such volunteers shall be cleared by the technical team before entering the course,” he said.
Bolaji added that there would be a cut after the Day One matches, a process whereby the number of players after the first two rounds of a four round competition, (usually around 156 players), is reduced by less than half for the final two rounds of golf.
He also warmed that there would be no slow play as the field marshals had been empowered to apply the rule accordingly.
“In the event of inclement weather, the event may be decided over a reduced round as the case may be decided by the technical team.
“Also, In the event of tie at the first position, a sudden death play-off shall be used to decide the winner. Tie on other positions shall be decided by count back.
“Each game will be a gross event for all players and if in doubt of any ruling, players are advised to play two balls, while the decision of the technical team shall be final on any issue,” he said.
