By Ado Salisu
Teenage golfing sensation, Grace Agbo of the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, is the champion of the 2025 Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) Northern zone Golf Championship.
The championship that commenced on Wednesday ended on Saturday in Minna, Niger.
No fewer than 250 golfers from across the country jostled for honours at the unique and lush green course of the Minna Cantonment Golf Club (MCGC).
Agbo emerged the best gross champion after she returned a total gross score of 246 over three days to beat 45 other lady golfers who made the final cut in the ladies handicap 0-18 female category.
The 18-year-old overcame initial nerves, which saw her returning a disappointing 90 gross on Day 1 as she dropped to the fourth position on the leaderboard.
She, however, bounced back, returning 83 gross to tie for second with Janet Ali (87, 86) on Day 2.
Agbo carried the momentum to the third and final day, where she played her best golf of the championship, returning an impressive 73 gross to claim an emphatic victory.
“First of all, I want to say thank you to God Almighty for this victory.
“I also want to express my sincere gratitude to my caddy Emmanuel and my coach for their useful tips and guidance throughout the tournament.
“I think this is one of my best wins ever because I came out with a good score, even though I started my game initially on the back foot because I was nervous.
“My greatest challenge was the presence of the mango trees everywhere on the course, but I conquered my fears and anxiety after day 1 and never looked back afterwards.
“My goal is to continue to build on what I have achieved so far in the game as I look forward to becoming a pro very soon, and represent Nigeria in different tours and courses around the world,” she said
Her closest challenger, Justina Gideon, returned a total gross score of 259 after playing 87, 86, 86 over three days to finish second, beating Janet Ali on count back.
Ali had to settle for the third position after she also returned a total gross score of 259, playing 86, 88, 85 over three days
Rahama Inusa, who had initially shot to the top of the leader board on Day 1 with an impressive 82 gross and maintained her lead on Day 2 with 87 gross, failed to hold on to her lead (-4).
Inusa looked poised to give the other top three lady golfers a run for their money going into the final day.
She, however, cracked under pressure in the crucial moments to finish fourth on the leaderboard after returning a disappointing 91 gross on Day 3 for a total gross score of 260 over three days.
In other results, Bose Ilori emerged winner of the ladies handicap 19 – 28 category after she returned a total of 275 gross (93, 93, 89) over three days.
LGAN President Evelyn Oyome was the winner of the ladies’ guest category after she returned a total of 169 gross (85, 84) over two days.
The ladies’ veterans category’s top prize went to Saleh Martina after she returned 204 gross (101, 103) over two days.
Also, Habiba Ibrahim emerged winner of the ladies’ special category for handicap 29 – 36 after she returned 115 gross.
The winners of the different categories, as well as all participants, went home with trophies, medals, and beautiful gifts.
Dr Lami Ahmed, LGAN’s 1st Vice President, who was full of praise for all who made the event successful, expressed her gratitude to the LOC, the Commandant, TRADOC, Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Kevin Aligbe, the Captain of MCGC, Brig. Gen. H.M. Abubakar, the Patron of MCGC, Amb. John Gana, and the Vice Captain of MCGC, Gerald Jerry
Others were Yakubu Kolo the Honourable Commissioner of Environment for Niger State, AVM Haruna, Mohammed Ndayako, SAN,
and Hajia Wasilat Nana Abubakar who represented H.E. Pauline Tallen at the event.
She also thanked all the LGAN vice presidents from the various zones and LGAN National Executive members for their presence, which she noted made the event truly special.
They include Evelyn Balogun (LGAN Zonal VP West), Princess Habibah (LGAN Zonal VP, South), and Ochuko Orogun (LGAN Handicap/Competition Secretary).
The lady captains of the various clubs from the north who graced the event were Bose Onwuegbu (I.E. Ibas Golf Club, Karshi and Nigeria Golf Federation Executive board member), Maureen Apute (TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja), Christiana Emmanuel (Jaji Golf Club), and Helen Ayo (O.O Soleye Golf Club, Lokoja, Kogi State).
Others include Jamila Abdullahi (Katsina Golf Club), Esther Bituing (Shiroro Golf Club), Ruth Maren (Lafia Golf Club, Nasarawa State), Aisha Audu (Kano Golf Club), and Christy Odey (Minna Cantonment Golf Club, Niger State)
“On behalf of the National President, Evelyn Oyome, and the entire team, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks for joining us at the golf tournament at the Minna Cantonment Golf Club.
“We are deeply indebted in gratitude to all our sponsors and stakeholders whose financial contributions and faith in LGAN made this happen.
“I wish us all safe travels back home, and I’m looking forward to seeing you again soon. Thank you for playing the tournament,” she said.
A special presentation was made to the TRADOC Commandant, the Captain of the club, other club officials, as well as other distinguished guests.
The LGAN National Executives were also not left out as they were duly honoured and received special gifts from the 1st Vice president, Dr Lami Ahmed.
Evelyn Balogun, LGAN Zonal VP West also made a special presentation to Dr Lami Ahmed on behalf of the National President, Evelyn Oyome.
Also, the LOC Chairperson, Maureen Apute, expressed her gratitude on behalf of the 1st Zonal Vice President, Dr Ahmed, and the entire LOC.
Apute noted that the tournament brought together golfers from diverse backgrounds, ages, and skill levels.
“I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our national president, Evelyn Oyome, for joining us at the golf tournament at the Minna Cantonment Golf Club.
“Your presence made the event truly special, and we hope you had a wonderful time both on and off the course.
“To the captain MCGC and Exco members, we all are most grateful for being our host. We really had fun.
“Our profound gratitude also goes to all our sponsors and stakeholders whose financial contributions and faith in LGAN made this happen.
“To our beautiful lady golfers from all over the country you made this tournament so colourful and enjoyable,
“To our wonderful men and support system, thank you for honouring our invitation to be part of this tournament. Above all, we want to thank God for a successful outing,” she said
