TYB International Golf Club celebrates 1st military pro lady golfer with 9-hole kitty

Posted : 26 October 2024

The Tukur Yusuf Buratai International Golf Resort and Country Club (TYBIGRC), Abuja, has celebrated Sergeant Cynthia Maurice, Nigeria’s first military professional lady golfer, with a 9-hole kitty in her honor.

Maurice, of the Nigerian Air Force, made history as the first female military professional golfer in the country.

This followed a week-long professional examination held from July 14 to July 20 at the HSD Golf Club, Yenagoa, Bayelsa.

The examinations, sanctioned by the Professional Golfers Association of Nigeria (PGAN), consisted of written and oral assessments of playing ability.

From a 36-handicap beginner to a professional golfer, Cynthia’s transformation was a remarkable achievement.

No fewer than 100 golfers, including 11 pros, participated in the special kitty organized by TYBIGRC Abuja on Friday night to celebrate Cynthia’s remarkable and outstanding achievement.

An elated Cynthia, on the sidelines of the event, said she lacked words to describe how she felt, adding that the fact that there wasn’t anyone doing it spurred her on to attempt to break the jinx.

“Golf has already been nicknamed ‘Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden.’

“So, it was a challenge for me, and I am happy that I achieved my goal in the end against all odds,” she said.

She appreciated the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar; the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja; the Captain of TYB Golf Club, Maj.-Gen. Samson Jiya, among others.

She said their various contributions toward her golfing career, as well as the success of the tournament, were overwhelming and commendable.

“Becoming a pro lady golfer has always been my dream, but I couldn’t have done this without the Chief of Air Staff,

“The Chief of Army Staff, the Captain of the club, the pros, members of the club, even the caddies, everybody is involved in this celebration and has all been good to me and contributed to the success of the kitty,” she said.

In his remarks, Jiya, the Captain of TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja, said the club, as well as the entire Armed Forces, was happy to identify and celebrate with one of their own.

Jiya said Maurice’s hard work, discipline, perseverance, and courage had earned her the crown of excellence, bravery, resilience, and honor.

Pro Emmanuel Odoh, the coach of Maurice, noted that she started golf barely four years ago, adding that her determination to turn pro was something beyond the ordinary.

“She came through my path, and my goal is always to add value to people’s lives.

“When I saw her determination and resilience, I felt it was worth putting all I had to see that she actually achieved her dreams.

“For me, it wasn’t an easy task because it came with a lot of sacrifices.

“I know how many times she had quit golf and said the journey wasn’t possible, as well as the times she had bounced back and insisted that she was going to do this.

“So, for me, it was that resilience that is the brain behind the celebration today.

“If she wasn’t resilient and patient, trust me, we wouldn’t have gotten to where we are today,” he said.

Zainab Ibrahim, an amateur lady golfer at the TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja, said that what Maurice had achieved was outstanding and unprecedented.

“I have been playing golf for 13 years, and Cynthia just came in less than two years ago, and she is already a pro. I am still here on the same handicap of 28. That is indeed a massive achievement.

“We have very few like Cynthia in Nigeria; I don’t think we have up to four female pros in the whole country. So, this is a wonderful thing.

“She has set the pace for other younger female professionals coming up. I think she is the first to turn pro in the shortest possible time,” she said.

Pro Stephen Okpe, a pro golfer at TYB, said Maurice had opened the eyes of many people around the golfing community.

“She started from scratch a few years back, and today she is already a professional.

“I think she is one of the few ladies I have seen in recent times who has passion. You can see how she has put in a lot of effort, and today she is a pro golfer.

“I am excited for her and will always use her as a point of reference for other ladies to emulate; both those I am coaching presently and in the near future,” he said.

Pro Musa Usman, the resident head pro of TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, noted that Maurice’s feat was indeed a great achievement, not only for the military but also for the club.

“The reason we chose to celebrate her is that she has put in a lot of effort and energy to actualize her dreams.

“It’s been a long career pursuit realized through hard work and resilience,” he said.

TYB International Golf Club celebrates 1st military pro lady golfer with 9-hole kitty

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