The Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) has described Georgia Oboh’s victory at the John Shippen Women’s Invitational Golf Championship in Michigan, United States, as a sign of the growing status of the golf prodigy in world golf.
The 23-year-old Oboh on Wednesday, last week, captured the 2024 John Shippen Women’s Invitational and earned tickets to compete in two LPGA tournaments – the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give and the Dow Championship.
Speaking on the Oboh’s rising profile in the sport at the weekend, NGF President, Olusegun Runsewe, said the victory would inspire other Nigerian children to strive for excellence, adding that it was a testament to the fact that hard work pays.
He disclosed that Oboh is gearing up to battle with the world’s best women golfers at the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give starting on June 13, after shooting 69-70—139 on the same course Tuesday and Wednesday to earn a three-stroke victory at the SHIPPEN event.
He said: “Congratulations to our very own George Oboh on your well-deserved victory at the John Shippen Women’s Invitational at Blythefield Country Club in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
“Your victory is indeed a fulcrum of great possibilities and renewed hope for Nigeria and Nigerians.
“We believe in you to keep the Nigerian flag flying high and keep doing your very best to ensure that you represent our dear country as a good ambassador of the game of golf.”
Runsewe said that another Nigerian pro golfer, Anita Uwadia, tied for third position with Ashley Shaw of U.S. in the same tournament, making it the first time in an international professional ladies’ golf tournament where two Nigerians would make the top three positions.
The NGF president noted that the performance of the girls was a rare feat, adding that they had both distinguished themselves as the very first Nigerians and one of the few black professional female golfers on the top stage.
He assured that the federation would continue to support the golfers to ensure that they reach their full potential and continue to make the country proud.
He advised parents to always support and encourage their children to start playing golf at an early age, describing it as a sport they can be engaged in for the rest of their lives.
