Olusegun Runsewe, President of Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), has commended Nigeria’s female teenage golfer, Iyene Essien, for her exploits at the St. Lawrence University Fall Invitational in Canton, New York, U.S.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Essien, a first-year Electrical Engineering student of Union College, Schenectady, New York, had a record-setting weekend to start her collegiate career at the SLU Fall Invitational.

This was after she carded rounds of 70 and 81 to earn medalist honours with a programme-record two-day score of 151.

She smashed the school record by five strokes with her two-under 70 in her collegiate debut on Saturday, carding three birdies, an eagle, and no holes higher than bogey.

Facing incredibly difficult conditions, Essien carved up the course with the first sub-par round in Union golf history, surpassing the previous record of 75 set by current senior Liz Bentsianov on Sept. 17, 2022 at the tournament.

The 18-year-old carded an eagle on the par-five 11th to
go with three birdies and three bogies in her collegiate debut, carding dual nines of 35 on the way to her record-setting score.

She followed up with an 81 on Sunday to break the school two-day scoring record and post a four-stroke victory.

It was only the third individual medalist honour in programme history and the first at an event with more than three teams.

Her effort ensured that she led the Union College women’s golf team to a third-place finish at the season-opening tournament, held on Saturday and Sunday at Oliver D. Appleton Golf Course.

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Her excellent performance also saw her earn the Union College Women’s Golf Performer of the Week award and three more earning spots on the weekly honour roll.

Runsewe, while commending Essien, a product of IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, on Wednesday, described her accomplishments as an inspiration to the younger generation.

He added that she was an ambassador of Nigeria’s gras
sroots golf development.

He said her exploits, while in college, was a fulcrum of great possibilities and renewed hope for Nigeria and Nigerians.

The NGF President said the success story of Essien was the motivating factor behind his desire to ensure that more talents were discovered at the grassroots in the country.

‘Under my leadership as the NGF President, I have always emphasised the need to concentrate on grassroots development of the sport.

‘This is why we have been able to build the Golf and Health Signature, a hub for the growth and development of young talents in the country.

‘This is the way other advanced countries grew the game,’ he said.

He said other countries started well and early, ‘and that’s exactly what we are also trying to achieve here at the Golf and Health Signature.

‘These young talents are the future of the sport, and in a few years to come, they will represent Nigeria in different circuits around the world.’

He also commended the efforts of Essien’s parents who committed thei
r time, energy and resources to seeing her through the most crucial part of her golfing career, while also ensuring that she gets the best education.

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He urged other parents to borrow a leaf from Essien’s story and encourage their children to start playing golf at an early age.

He also assured of the NGF’s continued support for young golfers to enable them reach their full potential.

The NGF boss also called for more sponsorship by corporate bodies, private institutions and philanthropists to support grassroots development of the sport in the country.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria