The fact that a golf tourney trophy dating back to 1913 is presently dotting shelves at the Clubhouse of the Rayfield Golf Club in Jos has jolted the Director General of the National Council of Arts and Culture [NCAC], Otunba Olusegun Runsewe into a rare action that culture could really relate with the golf game.
It went down memory lane that white settlers who were into tin mining engaged in the game of golf well before 1913. In those early years, Nigerians were never allowed into the Rayfield golf course. Men like John Dankaro, Innua Gombe and Alhaji Jalingo who made efforts to play only do so in the early 1970s
Ever since since tongues became wagging why it took the locals so many years to venture into the game if indeed golf was first played in Jos before 1913. But seeing a trophy dated back to 1913 has laid all the doubts to rest. This is what Runsewe is celebrating.
And come November 28, a one-day Amateur tournament will come up at the Rayfield Golf Club where a golf trophy etched in 1913 will be relished. Over 350 golfers from across the nation will feature in that tournament with the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Simon Lalong performing the Teeing Off ceremony.
“We have a deep culture in all facet of human life in Nigeria”, Runsewe said. “We have been able to substantiate that of Rayfield and we are picking it up from there.