Golf: Runsewe Excited over Essien’s SLU Invitational Exploits
President of Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe has commended Nigeria’s female teenage golf sensation, Iyene Essien for her inspiring outing at the St. Lawrence University Fall Invitational in Canton, New York, the United States.
Essien over the weekend had a record-setting display to start her collegiate career at the SLU Fall Invitational with rounds of 70 and 81 to earn medallist honours with a record 151.
En route to the feat, the first-year Electrical Engineering student, shattered the school record by five strokes in her collegiate debut with a round of 70 laced with three birdies, an eagle, and no holes higher than bogey.
Facing incredibly difficult conditions, the 18-year-old Nigerian 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 NYU Fall Invitational.
Her effort ensured that she led the Union College women’s golf team to a third-place finish at the season-opening St. Lawrence University Fall Invitational, held on Saturday and Sunday at Oliver D. Appleton Golf Course.
The feat saw her earn the Union College Women’s Golf Performer of the Week award and three more earning spots on the weekly honour roll.
In commending Essien, a product of IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja,
Runsewe, dubbed her accomplishments as an inspiration to the younger generation, describing her as an ambassador of Nigeria’s grassroots golf development.
The NGF President noted that Essien’s success story 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 emphasized the need to concentrate on grassroots development of the sport,” Runsewe said.
“These young talents are the future of the sport, and in a few years to come, they would represent Nigeria in different circuits around the world,” he added.
He also commended the efforts of Essien’s parents who committed their time, energy and resources to see her through the most crucial part of her golfing career, while also ensuring that she gets the best education.
He urged other parents to borrow a leaf from Essien’s story 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.
