Golfing Excitement Peaks as Prestigious Tournament Makes a Triumphant Return
There was a palpable sense of joy and anticipation at the Smokin Hills Golf Resort in Ilara Mokin, Ondo State, as the highly anticipated Elizabeth Wuraola Ojo Toyota Golf Tournament finally made its comeback. The event, which took place over the weekend, marked the tournament's first edition since the global disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, ending a five-year wait for the golfing community.
Elite Golfers Praise World-Class Course and Organizers
The invitational tournament successfully drew a strong field of more than 20 professional golfers from various clubs across Nigeria. These athletes were eager to test their skills on the renowned and challenging layout of the Smokin Hills course. Prominent figures in attendance included Kabiru Mohammed, the Head Professional at Ilorin Golf Club; Segun Alaba Ojo from the Ikeja Golf Club in Lagos; and Aminu Abdulkadiri, also from Ilorin Golf Club.
There was unanimous praise from the participants for Toyota (Nigeria) Limited, the event's organizer, for reviving the cherished competition. Kabiru Mohammed expressed his delight, stating, "The return of the Elizabeth Wuraola Ojo Toyota Golf Tournament is a very welcome development. We, the professionals, have been looking forward to this day the golf course would come back to life." He added that the initial break was met with disappointment, but the invitation to return brought great happiness. He praised the course's demanding nature and its international-standard design, noting, "If you can play here, you can play anywhere in the world."
Smokin Hills Golf Resort Hailed as a Nigerian Gem
Adding to the chorus of approval, Segun Alaba Ojo from Ikeja Club shared his initial skepticism and subsequent amazement. He revealed that before arriving on Thursday, he had heard negative rumours about the Smokin Hills course. However, a personal inspection completely changed his perspective.
"I marvelled at what I saw," Ojo declared. "Contrary to the false stories, the course here is the best in Nigeria and even in the West African sub-region. It is arguably one of the best in Africa." While he suggested the Greens could use minor improvements, his overall sentiment was one of sheer excitement about the tournament's return and commendation for Toyota (Nigeria) Limited for a job well done.
The successful return of the Elizabeth Wuraola Ojo golf tourney has not only provided a competitive platform for Nigeria's golfing elite but has also firmly re-established Smokin Hills Golf Resort as a premier sporting destination, boosting sports tourism in Ondo State.
