Club History

The decision taken in the mid seventies by the Government of the Late General Murtala Mohammed, to create a new centre of Unity for Nigeria by making Abuja the new Federal Capital Territory resulted in the preparation of a master plan for the Federal Capital Territory. That plan had in it two golf courses, i.e. in Abuja North & South. This is to provide and compliment recreational facilities in the new F.C.T. The Abuja north is today the location of IBB International Golf & Country Club.

During the regime of General Ibrahim B. Babangida (IBB), there was the need for key ministries and Parastatals to move to the new Federal Capital. Among the early ministries to move was the Ministry of Internal Affairs under Late Col. John Nanzip Shagaya. The Colonel who retired as Brig. General after a successful and well decorated carrier (now a high class Chief, the Danburam Langtang II and member of the Order of the Federal Republic) was an avid and reputable golfer.
The idea of estabilishing a modern golf course was discussed at the meeting chaired by Alhaji Kazure, with the following eminent members; Chief C.A. Mbanefo, CN Chigbo, BI Eze O.O. Odunuga, Nana H. Aliyu while S.O. Jones was Secretary.

The Head of State, a lover of the honorable game, did not hesitate to accept and approve the proposal of a Golf and Country Club for the Federal Capital Territory. The whole concept was to have a standard Parkland golf course, swimming pool, gym, tennis court, e.t.c, making it a full Country Club. Due to financial constraints, not all of the other facilities could not be developed.

The search for a suitable site began in earnest and terminated at the present location, which is the most fantastic site for a championship golf course. No other site would have been better considering the imposing scenic beauty of the Aso Rock and its adjourning hills. The site covers about 101 hectares and over1, 009 740 square meters of land, criss crossed by creeks, excellent vegetation and wild life.

Construction work started on February, 10th 1987 with the Driving Range, followed by the first 9 holes now played as the Back 9 and the Clubhouse. This first phase of the course was very difficult due to its paddy nature. It involved extensive dewatering and reclaiming the whole area to reduce or avoid entirely, its unplayability during heavy downpour.

The contractor was Julius Berger Nig. Plc, whose Chairman and Vice Chairman-Chief Mobolaji Johnson and Chief Hans Wittman respectively have a passion for golf. JBN Plc assigned the design, construction and maintenance of the golf course to a reputable agronomist – Mr. Richard Stillwell. Stillwell maintains most of the golf courses for the European Tour. The first Green keeper of the course was Mr. Robert Kenedy followed by Thomas and John Tate. At the initial stage, the grass changed to the Bermuder Bent, otherwise called Tift Dwarf.

To ensure a viable maintenance culture for the course, four of the local staff were sent to Hong Kong for Green Keeping course. The staff were Mr. Clement Adekole who later became the Caddy Master, Joseph Jonas, Mathew and Christian Obi. Mr. C. Adakole and Mathew were later sent to Ireland for further course. It was also thought that a Nigerian golf Professional to be the course The entire project was under the supervision of the Ministry of Federal Capital Territory (MFCT) through the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA). The then Minister of FCT minister was AVM Hamza Abdullahi (rtd) and later General Gado Nasko. The Project Engineering from FCDA was the Director of Engineering, Engr. Y.Y. Kure.
The first phase comprising Driving Range and the 9 holes of 2 par 3s, 2 par 5s and 5 par 4s was completed in 1992. In the same year, an inaugural tournament sponsored by Beecham/Smithkline was held. Participants included all the Foundation Members, Board of Trustees, invited guests and some Pros. This phase doubled as the Front and Back 9 for an 18 holes course.

At the inaugural tournament in 1992, the Clubhouse was almost completed but not ready for use even when the first major amateur competition was held during the Easter of 1992 sponsored by Sheraton Hotels & Towers, Abuja. It was in 1993, during the 2nd Sheraton Hotels & Towers Amateur Golf Tournament, that the present ceremony was held in the Clubhouse. Moses O. Anabui won both the 1st & 2nd competitions between 1992 and 1993, only very few golfers played the 9 hole course.

The second phase of the project was completed and opened for play in April, 1994. This phase became the Front 9. The course became a straight 18-hole course from 1994. The club is managed by the Board of Trustees while the Executive Committee is saddled with responsibility of the day-to-day administration. The administration is supported by an efficient Club House staff headed by a General Manager.

The golf course has a par of 72 with the standard scratch score (SSS) 71, 4 par 5s, 4 par 3 and 10 par 4s measuring 6,079 metres as the crow flies. A superb network of sprinklers with the source of water from the Pendam Dam, Asokoro, helps keep the course lush all year round. There are two practice putting greens and a flood lit Driving Range. Both the Flora and Fauna are very rich. There are wide varieties of birds, monkeys and crocodiles, etc.

The Club has a well-equipped workshop and modern Clubhouse with a Pro-shop, three men’s locker rooms, two ladies locker rooms, Admin Office and standard Bar/Restaurant – managed by Kapital Klub & Apartments.

The IBB International Golf & Country Club, Abuja is duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) under the Allied Matters Decree No. 1, 1990 with Registration No. 11182 of 11th June, 1998.