For his immense contribution to the development of Golf on the continent, The Africa Golf Confederation (AGC) has conferred on Nigeria’s President of the Senate, Senator David Mark the ‘Distinguished Service Award for Golf in Africa’. He was consequently named pillar of Golf on the continent.

President of AGC Ambassador Joe Malanji conferred the award on the Senate President at the closing ceremony of the President’s cup of the AGC tournament on Thursday night at the Nkana Golf Club in Kitwe, Zambia.

Conferring the award, Ambassador Malanji told Mark “ It is on record that you have , in your personal capacity sponsored and mentored a large contingent of amateur golfers into the professional cadre.

“This is in addition to your other significant investments in golf such as sponsoring national and international tournaments and the establishment of the 18 hole international championship golf course, the Otukpo Golf and Country Club, which is open free to all users. This singular act is unprecedented in golfing history”.

Ambassador Malanji added that the AGC is particularly impressed with the ‘David Mark International Academy’ where young boys and girls are trained free of charge and provided with the golfing kits.

Receiving the award, Senator Mark who was represented by his Special Adviser on Sports and youth Development, Dr. Peter Deshi expressed appreciation for the Honour and promised to continue to promote the game.

Senator Mark was optimistic that with more emphasis on Sports where youths could be actively engaged, most of the societal vices plaguing the nations of the world would have been curtailed.

In Nigeria, he said that the government has embarked on deliberate policy to promote sports not just for competitions but also as a vehicle for promoting peace, unity and cohesion amongst the citizenry.