Wife of Edo State Deputy Governor, Her Excellency, Mrs. Maryann Shaibu has emerged Queen of the Green as she was declared winner of the Benin Club Golf Section (BCGS) Ladies 2023 Match Play.
Mrs. Shaibu (hcp) defeated the likes of Mrs. Joy Omorogiuwa and Mrs. Ehis Igbinadolor to be crowned champion at the keenly contested match play.
The star prize award was presented to the winner by the immediate past Lady Captain, Mrs. Betty Oriakhi during the closing ceremony of the BCGS Lady Captain’s Day Tournament held at the club over the weekend.
The Lady Captain’s Day tournament was organised by Mrs. Oriakhi having organized a grand Ladies Open Championship in October 2023 that pulled over 300 golfers from across Nigeria. And this year tournament was the last to be organised in her tenure as an immediate past lady captain.
Moreover, this tournament featured over a hundred golfers from the club, UBTH Golf Club, and other golf clubs from Delta State and beyond.
While delivering her winner’s speech at the presentation ceremony, Mrs. Shaibu expressed delight to have been declared winner of the match play. Also, being the first time to give winner’s speech since she joined the club.
She said: “I am delighted to win the match play, it was a tough experience on the course. I want to thank my swagalicious immediate past lady captain, Mrs. Betty Oriakhi for her leadership quality and humility.
“Also, I appreciate Dr. Mrs.Maryscholar Eboh and Edith Edeki, Joy Omorogiuwa and others for their roles in leading me to become a champion. Golf course is not a battle ground, not a place of war, but a place of enjoyment and fun-filled.
“Playing at Benin Club Golf Section gives me joy at all time, and I have no regret of playing golf in this famous golf course, the home of hospitality. The game of golf has given me limelight.
“I hereby dedicate this award to my amiable Mrs. Debby Otabor, fmr. BCGS Lady Captain as well as fmr. LGAN South-South Zonal Vice-President for her exemplary role and enthusiasm in shaping my game.”
However, in her speech, Oriakhi recounted the memorable moments of becoming the lady captain of the ladies division last year, saying that anything that has beginning, has an end.
“You all made my tenure full of fun, happiness, joy and great support. It was a great opportunity to celebrate friendship for all the support,” she said.
She however presented personal gifts to all the ladies in the section for contributing immensely to the great success achieved by the ladies division during her tenure.
In the same vein, fmr. Captain, Chief Afam Obanor who stood in for the Captain of the Club, Joseph Idahosa appreciated past lady captain, Oriakhi for bringing lively activities to the club.
“She makes thing happen at anytime. I urge the new lady captain, her Committee members and other ladies in the division to keep the spirit going on. Take things easy and live a lively life,” Obanor concluded.
