Lalong’s youth intervention in golf
Ever since golf prodigies like Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, Paul Casey and of recent Rory McIlroy stormed the world of golf, it became clear that youths worldwide could dump football someday and make a decision and bet on golf. It is happening already. Many youngsters now want to be McIlroy rather than bear Lionel Messi.
The fever is catching on in Nigeria as well, as most golf clubs in the country are now fitted with academies that cater, principally for youth golf. Some clubs, especially the St. Marks course in Otukpo work out their academies in a manner where golf will not get in the way of education. The whole thing is turning roses and more kids are joining golf academies.
Again, some courses, especially the Parkland Golf and Resort Club in Abuja are designing programmes that keep the youths well occupied through the weekends rather than wait for the vacation periods.
But kudos must be given to the ladies section of the IBB Golf Club in Abuja for engaging youths through the period of the long vacation. These youths are taken through basics, clinics and are even allowed to feature in mini tourneys. This is all grand, a perfect plus for the game of golf in Nigeria.
Sadly, one thing is missing. The lofty idea of getting kids into golf is generally being seen as lopsided, and rightly too. In truth, kids who are being exposed to the game are usually kids who are used to wealth and leisure. Youths from poor background can hardly get close to golf clubs gates that are clearly marked ‘Members Only’ not to make mention of them gaining entrance to participate in youth clinic and mini tourneys. The closest poor kids could get to the game is through carrying the burdens of golfers by Caddying. The sad thing here is that kids from poor homes catch up faster playing the game than kids from swell homes who are mainly hot headed with massive egos and actually take the game as a fun thing. Really, golf is a serious game and only those who show seriousness in it won’t end as hackers.
So, who will create this level playing field where rich and poor youths can participate in same clinics and mini tourneys? Well, there seems to be a way. Already, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Simon Lalong has agreed to partner with the Nigeria Golf Federation [NGF]so the first ever Open for youths all over Nigeria could hold. This threeday event is already fixed to run through April 14 and 16 at the Rayfield Golf Club in Jos. The expectation for this event is huge for nothing can compare with it at the moment.
But the plea here is that this whole thing should go beyond a mere threeday tourney. Let the tourney create the necessary awareness that every youth has the right to play the game irrespective of family background or status. At once, there must be an intervention which shall clearly suggest that tourney or no tourney, youths of all backgrounds must have where they can walk into and play golf without people who are horribly insensitive and downright abusive breathing on their necks. And the man who can make this intervention happen is Governor Lalong.
And the whole thing is simple enough. There are vast wasted lands in every region. Since Lalong could host the very first youth Open, he can as well move further by construction a public course in his domain. If he does, other Governors will follow in tow. And the good thing here is you don’t need a helluva of money to build a public course. It doesn’t have to be like IBB or Ilara-Mokin courses. All that is needed here is a modest course that could accommodate the basics in the game, and some three professionals to engage the youths. This is even a sure way of engaging our Pros who are almost idle throughout a year.