The relationship between Entrepreneurs and Golf is an emerging but constantly evolving symbiotic affair that has culminated in huge profits, especially in recent years.
Considering the positive impact many Financial CEOs have had on public health, social inclusion, economic development and the promotion of intercultural exchange through the game of golf, one could rather say, golf is the game for Bankers.Golf, like other sports, is a veritable tool to facilitate unity among diverse regions, like we have in Nigeria, and that is the idea behind Unity Cup Golf Championship; a tournament sponsored by Polaris Bank.Some CEOs, like Innocent Ike of Polaris Bank are golf enthusiasts, who put so much passion into developing the game and expanding the Bank’s network and networth through it. Forget about the myth that Golf players are super-rich Executives, while those salaried among them are well-paid executives in multinational corporations.
A mythical statement far from the truth, I must say, Golf is a game that has aided many entrepreneurs to birth new ideas and startups.Golf creates an ambience for a new breed of clientele. It creates room for young, successful, CEOs. By the way, gone are those days when the Golf turf was strictly for players in their late-fifties, army Generals. Nigeria’s economy is creating young achievers in their twenties, early thirties, and forties to help change the face of golfing.One of such is the CEO, Polaris Bank, who harnessed the Unity Golf Tournament, an Open Amateur Golf tournament in 2021. The tournament paraded about 350 golfers who are members of registered Golf Clubs across the country. Specifically, five players each came from about 70 Clubs across the country. The Bank’s position stems from the fact that Ikoyi Club Golf Section is a foremost Golf Association in Nigeria, and hence provides it with the platform for bonding, business and social good.Despite a discouraging economic climate where Covid-19 pandemic has dealt many corporate organizations a huge blow, and cocooned them in the confines of their major financial obligations, Polaris Bank under the leadership of the highly cerebral Innocent Ike, damned all consequences, funding such a unique idea. Today, Polaris Bank Nigeria Limited, is a financial force in Nigeria’s banking industry to reckon with. Apart from gathering the best golfers around the country in an atmosphere of unity through recreation and sports, the Tournament also gave room for networking and economic stability. It brought people together, cutting across shades, ethnicity or background; it never mattered whether you are a Christian or a Muslim or even a traditionalist.Ike apparently saw opportunities where other banks never did. His bank went all out to sponsor a tournament that further strengthened the already existing relationship between the Bank and the Ikoyi Club community.
Polaris Bank’s sponsorship of the tournament underscores the Bank’s conviction on the role of sports, particularly golf, in enabling national unity, and socio-economic development.Ikoyi Club 1938 has been an iconic brand that has transcended from being just a club for socialization to a nursery for raising stars who have gone ahead to get listed in World Amateur Golf Ranking.No doubt, Innocent Ike has enjoyed massive endorsement since he took over the reins at Polaris Bank, a sign that the bank under his leadership has not shifted focus from its primary goals as a financial institution. Innocent Ike, an astute finance and banking executive, came into the industry with a rich resume. With a grasp of excellent standards and precise execution from the Financial world, Mr. Ike definitely has an intention wrapped around the timely need to make the banking world more customer-centric through participation in all sectors.Ike is broad-minded, a thinker and a doer. His dreams are proven valid, they must come to pass. Though it might take a while. His expertise, experience and exposure has helped build and retain the glory of Polaris Bank in and outside the shores of Nigeria.Read an excerpt from his speech: “As a leading and innovative retail Bank in Nigeria, we are excited to partner with Golf Section and by extension, Ikoyi Club 1938”, adding that, “for us at Polaris Bank, this partnership marks the beginning of a historic journey filled with opportunities and shared benefits. Apart from helping to forge national unity, we will leverage this tournament for brand visibility, bonding and networking amongst Golfers from different clubs across Nigeria”, “the event’, he concluded, will also promote family leisure and ultimately, social cohesion.
Now, it is time for Ikoyi Club 1938 to honour Mr. Innocent Ike as a contributor to Golf development in Nigeria. It should never come as a surprise. Congratulations to Mr. Innocent, a silent achiever!
Olamide Adeniji is a member of the editorial team of TheScript Newspaper
