It is not in doubt that Nigeria does not have any golf academy to cater to the teeming population desirous to learn the game. Thus, people who are eager to be taught the rudiments of the sport only learn from the few available resident professionals in different golf clubs and from even fellow players and caddies whose primary responsibility is to pull the players’ golf bags along.
Today, there is a new beginning in the horizon, all thanks to Chief Leo Edochie, Nigeria’s renowned celebrity golfer who dreams to establish a golf academy in the near future. He spoke to sportswriters recently in Port Harcourt. Enjoy it.
Q: You’ve just disclosed your readiness to host the second edition of the birthday tournament in honour of your father and Nigeria’s Nollywood legend, Ebubedike Pete Edochie.
What informed your decision?
Edochie: Truth is that we use the opportunity of our father’s birthday to celebrate our parents who have been exceptional. It’s our way of thanksgiving to God for keeping both our father and mother (Barr. Mrs. Josephine Edochie, a lawyer and broadcaster) alive and healthy.
First and foremost, I’m fortunate that at my age, I have both of my parents alive. It’s a huge blessing from God, and hosting the tournament is our way to thank God for keeping them.
By March next year, the second edition of this birthday tournament will hold at the Enugu Golf Course. I’ll also use the opportunity to officially commission the Hole 11 which is sponsored by my company, Solotone Global Ventures Limited. As you know, I also own Hole 8 in Python Golf Club and Hole 8 at the Sealord Golf Club, both in Port Harcourt.
So, as long as we have my parents here with us, I’ll keep celebrating them. They have been exceptional parents that we, their children, are forever proud of and grateful for the upbringing we enjoyed.
Even the Bible exhorts us to “honour your father and mother so that your days may be long”. The best that I can do is to continue to put smiles on their faces.
Q: What should golfers expect from your upcoming tournament?
Edochie: My ambition is to give golfers such a tournament that they will not forget in a haste. Besides, I want to spread tournaments and golf events that I sponsor as far and wide as possible so that they have the desired impacts. Though we may have appearances by select professional players to add colour, the tournaments will be majorly for amateurs. And because I’d be introducing some friends to the game as part of my crusade to promote golf, I want to engender very useful interactions between these amateurs and those friends of mine. By their status, the pros are more businesslike and would have limited time for such leisurely chats.
Q: What informs your dream to establish a golf academy in Nigeria?
Edochie: By my nature, I have no limits if I’m committed to a cause. Since I picked up the game of golf after many years of my involvement with polo (during which he rose to the pinnacle as President of Port Harcourt Polo Club), I’ve been a crusader for its (golf’s) development in Nigeria.
As you witnessed today (Sunday, November 17, 2024), I brought twenty guests who have had no involvement with golf before now. In the subsequent tournaments and kitties in the weeks and months ahead, I’ll be bringing more people to have them come to witness the game live, to see what all that golf frenzy is about and to encourage them to adopt the sport.
Now, this is the fastest way to build interest because a lot of people have this misconception that golf is for rich and retired people. I want to correct this stereotype because as you very well know, a lot of young people play golf, both professionally and for leisure.
Now, the best way to ignite the fire is to bring them within that environment where they will learn the game in a serene, structured manner and under qualified instructors. This is what has informed my dream to set up a golf academy. The proposed academy will offer those who have indicated interest and also those who been following me all these months and years the opportunity to be properly taught. It will be a lot easier to accomplish our objectives because consistency is what ignites the fire.
The academy equally will give our youths the platform to learn the game under strict guidance. Through our youth programmes at the Academy, we will help to build the next generation of professional and amateur players, while also helping to keep our youths off the streets and away from negative vices. The Academy is something that we will take time to put up so that we will get it right.
Q: Judging that you started active golfing not too long ago, how much time do you think you have before you retire from the sport?
Edochie: The good news is that golf is endless because you can play it any age. It is one game you’ll play until you die. So, I’m in it for the rest of my life here.
Golf is also essential for people who are approaching retirement from the private or public sector. One unfortunate feature which affects retirees is boredom because you’ll not be going out as much as you used to do and the company you keep, suddenly, dwindles. But with golf, the opposite is the case in that the game gives you the opportunity to enjoy the camaraderie of friends, to establish new contacts and even another kind of business different from the one you retired from. Golf is life and I encourage people to live it to the fullest.
