Willy, Odoh invade SA’s Sunshine Tour

Nigeria’s foremost professional golfers, Gift Willy and Oche Odoh, have been drawn to feature in Africa’s number one professional tour, the South African-based Sunshine Tour, in the month of March.
Odoh, who finished second behind Emos Korblah in last season’s Nigerian Professional Golfers Association Order of Merit,
told New Telegraph that he has already signed up to feature in the upcoming Johannesburg Open, which runs from February 26 to March 1 at the Royal JHB and Kensington Golf Club.
“I want to take all the chances that come my way. I will be arriving South Africa far before the Jo’Burg Open gets underway and the plan is to be able to play in it,” he said.
The IBB Golf Club Abuja-based player added: “I will be alone here for a while but I am ok with it.”
Willy, who is being held back by the renewal process of his travel documents, told New Telegraph he has his sights set on the qualifiers for the Africa Open, which is set for the Fish River Sun Country Club. “I am swinging fine and I am in a very good frame,” said Willy, the third-place finisher at last year’s Order of Merit.
“The African Open is my target and once that is done I will be entering several other events on the Sunshine Tour.
I am very positive and look forward to good outcomes.” Both players will also feature at the Tshwane Open billed for March 12 to 15 at the Pretoria Country Club before heading off, a week later, to Milvane and Lost City for the Investec Cup.
Willy hinted that his plans after the Investec Cup, which gets underway on March 22, is to head for Gabon where he hopes to feature in the 20th edition of the Moanda Open. It is a title that has eluded the former Nigeria Open champion in the last three years, and he is hoping to rewrite history this time around.
“I will be flying down to Gabon to feature in the Moanda Open. I believe the story will be different this time around,” said Willy, referring to the three successive secondplace finishes he has runner-up finishes he has recorded over the three editions of the tournament. He added: “I am well prepared this time around.”
Speaking to Sunday Telegraph on the development, the Director of the PGA in Nigeria, Festus Makelemi, described it as a good one, adding that any effort by any of its players to maintain their form by featuring in other challenging tours is encouraged. “They are professional athletes,” he said.

“Our main objective beyond grooming a well-rounded player is to create opportunities for them to excel and that is why they have all the support of the association to seek glory in South Africa and in any other place.”