On Tuesday, July 25, 2023, IBB Golf and Country Club opened its gates to the Public for its annual Children Golf Development Clinic. The School Of HardKnocks Nigeria seized this rare opportunity to introduce some Kids to the game of Golf. With the approval of the Secondary Education Board (SEB), Fifteen (15) Students from some Government Secondary Schools in Abuja were selected and sponsored by the School Of Hardknocks Nigeria to participate in this year’s Golf clinic. The Clinic spanned two weeks, from the 25th of July to August 3rd, 2023, three days per week.
Some Government schools whose students were selected are as follows: JSS Kubwa, GSS Kubwa, GSS Bwari, GDSS Bwari, GSS Byazhin, JSS Asokoro, JSS Area 11, GSS Wuse Zone 3, GSS Tudun Wada, JSS Tudun Wada etc. To almost all of the students School Of Hardknocks sponsored for this memorable clinic, it was their first experience with the game of Golf. Still, they did their best in the game and became so good in no time!
Each day after the morning exercise, the children were grouped according to their ages. They were taught practically the basics of Golf, mastering the Grip, Stance, Drive, Pitch/Chip Shop, Putting, Swing and lots more.
At the end of each training day, the CEO of School of HardKnocks, Dr. Jerry Akubo had a session with the student participants to recount what they learned during the day’s program and instilled in them the need to have virtues such as Honesty, Integrity, Confidence, Perseverance, and Sportsmanship.
On the fourth day of the Golf Clinic, SOHK Nigeria student participants had the opportunity to tour the 18-holes course at the IBB International Golf and Country Club. It was an exhilarating experience as the students rode in golf carts around the vast course. More excitingly, they met with golf professionals who were training for international tournaments. The students got to interact with them, ask questions, watch them play, and have photo sessions with them; they were so elated!
During the course of the clinic, they were assessed both theoretically and practically. On the last day of the Clinic, there was a Prize giving ceremony in which the student participants brought much joy and recognition to the School Of Hardknocks as they bagged some medals and awards such as ‘First in chipping in the Boys Category’, ‘First in Chipping in the Girls Category’, ‘Second in Driving Range’, ‘First runner up for Girls Category’, ‘Overall best in written test’, ‘Second runner up in Boys Category’ and lots more.
This Clinic is in line with School Of Hardknocks’ proposed ten (10) years Golf to School Program for 450 students from 15 Government Schools in FCT Abuja. The purpose is to engage as many children as possible in the game of Golf, identifying those with skills and developing them to become professional golfers.
Leave a Reply