Over 300 Golfers to Storm Uyo as Arise Golf Course Plays Host to Ibom Open
No fewer than 300 golfers from across Nigeria and the African continent are expected in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital for Ibom Open- a two-day golf tournament.
According to Mr. Isuamfon Archibong, Chairman of the Ibom Country Golf Club, and Barr Usenobong Akpabio, Chairman of the planning committee, the event is expected to be a thrilling display of golfing prowess .
Speaking with newsmen in Uyo on Wednesday, Barr Usenobong Akpabio expressed satisfaction with the unprecedented zeal of golfers to participate in the tournament, adding that within 48 hours of opening the registration portal, over 300 golfers had already registered.
“In totality, this is what Akwa Ibom state needs. It encourages tourism and through golf, we can achieve this,” Akpabio said ¹.
The event, scheduled to take place from June 5th to 8th, will be held at both the prestigious Ibom Golf Course and the ARISE Golf Course. The tournament promises to provide direct jobs to over 300 persons who will act as caddies during the event.
“With the addition of ARISE golf course to Ibom Golf Course, Akwa Ibom is gradually becoming a golfing destination in West Africa and Ibom Open has come for that purpose,” Akpabio added ¹.
The Arise Recreational Park, where the golf course is located, has undergone a remarkable transformation from a wasteland to a world-class recreational facility.
The park features a 9-hole par-3 golf course, a clubhouse, a lake with fish barbecue bars, and other amenities. Governor Umo Eno’s vision for the park is to create a tourism destination that will attract visitors from across the world ².
The Ibom Open is expected to create economic opportunities for the local population. Mr. Isuamfon Archibong expressed hope that the event will boost the economic status of the State, saying,
“We are promoting tourism and you need instruments like the golf course. January and May we had a lot of events. We need tourism as major drivers of the economy and by so doing, the economy of the state will be better off” ¹.
The event is organized by Ibom Golf and Country Club and sponsored by Ship Afrika, Hensek Engineering, Bulletin, and e-transact, among others. Ibom Air has also partnered with the organizers to provide return tickets to the three overall winners of the tournament
Our correspondent reports that Governor Umo Eno’s administration has continued to demonstrate commitment to developing the tourism sector in Akwa Ibom State. The Governor’s vision for the Arise Recreational Park is to create a world-class facility that will attract tourists and golfers from across the world ².
The Arise Golf Course is a unique 9-hole par-3 golf course that presents a thrilling challenge with holes ranging from 90 to 170 meters, traversing hills, steep slopes, and a bridge across a major channel of water. The course is designed to test the skills of golfers and provide an exciting experience