Top Golfers Celebrate Return of Toyota Tournament

The atmosphere was filled with excitement at the Smokin Hills Golf Resort in Ilara Mokin, Ondo State, as the prestigious Elizabeth Wuraola Ojo Toyota Golf Tournament made a highly anticipated comeback after its long hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The invitational event drew over 20 top-tier professional golfers from different parts of Nigeria, all eager to take on the famed Smokin Hills course — a venue widely admired for its challenging terrain and breathtaking landscape.

Among those who shared their enthusiasm were Kabiru Mohammed, Head of Professional at Ilorin Golf Club; Segun Alaba Ojo of Ikeja Golf Club, Lagos; and Aminu Abdulkadiri, also from Ilorin Golf Club.

They all praised Toyota (Nigeria) Limited, organisers of the competition, for reviving the tournament after a five-year break, describing the course as a true masterpiece that stands out across West Africa.

“Elizabeth Wuraola Ojo Toyota Golf Tournament making its return is a very welcome development,” Mohammed said.

“The professionals have been looking forward to this day the golf course will come back to life. When it went on break, we were not happy, but when we got invitations to come and play here, we were so happy.”

He added, “If you’re not fit, you cannot play here. It gives me great pleasure anytime I am playing here. The design of this course was brought from abroad. If you can play here, you can play anywhere in the world.”

For Ikeja Club’s Alaba Ojo, “Before I came down here on Thursday, I heard all manner of false stories about this Smokin Hills Golf Resort Course. But when I came in, I decided to go round the course to see things for myself. I marvelled at what I saw. Contrary to the demarketing false stories, the course here is the best in Nigeria and even in the West African sub-region and arguably one of the best in Africa. I’m very excited that this tournament is back. The organisers, Toyota (Nigeria) Limited, have done well.”

On his part, Abdulkadiri said, “The experience here is second to none. I started playing on this golf course from my amateur days and two times, I won the best Gross prize. It has been a very good tournament and I thank God the Elizabeth Wuraola Ojo Toyota Golf Tournament is back. I am so happy coming back to play here again. It has been a tough course, it’s a good challenge and I played a very good game today.”

The return of the Elizabeth Wuraola Ojo Toyota Golf Tournament not only rekindled competition among Nigeria’s finest golfers but also reaffirmed Smokin Hills as one of Africa’s premier golfing destinations — a course where skill, endurance, and passion truly meet.