GOLFERS JOSTLE FOR SENATE PRESIDENT'S TOURNEY

The sleepy town of Otukpo, Benue State came alive Monday as a massive 150 local and international professional golfers take to the tee at the new All -Green Pro-Am course all thanks to the Senate President David Mark.

Until last year golf action was on brown but all that changed with the decision of the Senate President to pioneer an 18-hole green course to put the Otukpo Golf and Country Club on the international map.

Secretary of the Club Oga Ekwu stated amid the flurry activities marking the commemorative golf tournament that commissioning of the course proper would be performed later this week by President Goodluck Jonathan who is expected to lead top dignitaries, including Ministers senators and House of Representatives members and captains industry to the serene town.

Ekwu noted that with the new green course golfers are eager to etch their names in history book and attributed this for the massive turn out for the commemorative event.

'Since 2002 golf action had been on brown but the Senate President single handedly undertook this marvelous green course you are seeing; it is unprecedented that one person will build a green course.

We are all excited; it evokes some feelings in all of us; like golf is coming here for the first time. It is something to cheer, to be thankful to the Senate President and celebrated by the community', he stated.

Among top rated golfers that took to the tee include Otukpo based Ghanaian golfers Amos Korblah, J.J Hardy, their Nigerian counterparts A.O Odoh, F. Pam G. Oyebanji and K. Ogwuche.

Ekwu gave a graphic picture of how the feat was achieved, saying that two dams were built to supply much needed water to ensure that its present all-year-round lush green condition is maintained.

Harping on the many benefit to the community Ekwu noted that top golfers have snapped up available accommodation in hotels while sundry associated activities would continue witness a boost during the weeklong tour on green