Sergeant Cynthia Maurice has revealed she had quitted golf several times before she made history to emerge as Nigeria’s first female military professional golfer.
Speaking to journalists at a special event held in her honor alongside fellow military golfers Nelson Olokpo and Nweke Ogbonna at the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Golf Club, NAF Base, Abuja, she reflected on the long, challenging, and inspiring path she took to reach this milestone.
She had successfully completed a week-long professional examination conducted by the Professional Golfers Association of Nigeria (PGAN) from July 14 to July 20 at the HSD Golf Club in Bayelsa. The examination, included playing ability tests, as well as written and oral assessments.
She also shared that this was her third attempt at the examination, making her success even more rewarding.
“I turned pro in the space of four years, and it wasn’t an easy journey. I remember when I first started, I didn’t think it was something I would go on to achieve.
“I quitted on several occasions and came back, and my coach, Pro Emmanuel Odoh, the Assistant head pro of TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club was always on my neck as he always brought me back to the course, each time I ran away and made me see reasons why I had to continue.
“Also, it wasn’t easy financially as golf is a very expensive sport, especially when you are trying to go professional. You spend all your time training and pay your caddies as well as green fees on a regular basis as you move from course to course. It wasn’t easy as one had to practice all the courses.
“Three times I had picked up the pro form. I went from a 36 to a 0 handicapper. At first, I didn’t have the competitive experience, I was a good player but couldn’t absorb pressure on the course and kept wondering why I wasn’t doing well.
“So, I didn’t make it the first time which was the maiden edition for ladies, and had to give it a go again a second time, and this time around, it wasn’t just with ladies but the men were also involved and I still wasn’t good enough; that was enough to make me quit.
“But I was determined and refused to quit against all odds as I tried again the third time and came out successfully as the only woman who made it, amongst about 37 other men.
“So, I think it was a destined time for me, and I want to say that perseverance and resilience as well as God’s time is always the best,” she said.
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