Grace Agbo is driving change in a sport often seen as elite, proving that passion and persistence trump privilege.
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00:00The whole perspective is that golf is meant for rich people.
00:06That's how people say it.
00:09They were actually laughing at me because I come from a poor background.
00:13They saw that I won't have the resources to play or I won't have funds to push my game further.
00:19Golf gave me peace and golf helped me through my education.
00:24My name is Grace Agbo. I'm currently the number one female golfer in Nigeria.
00:29I've won at least ten tournaments in golf two years ago after I won the Junior Open Championship.
00:47It puts me in the world ranking.
00:51The longest drive, ah, that's my favourite thing.
00:58I have at least nine longest drive trophies.
01:02When I step into the golf course, I just put it in my head, beat the course.
01:07So that's what I do.
01:10I started my journey when I was six years old.
01:17There was a clash between a community that affected our community.
01:23Had us seek refuge after our house got burnt.
01:27So my aunt took us in.
01:30Near my aunt's house, there is a golf club.
01:33So I always walked past it and I was wondering, what is this game?
01:38When I went there, I made new friends and they taught me how to grip a club and all of that.
01:45When I went home, I started doing some putting.
01:49I was using stick.
01:50No club.
01:51Just some random stick.
01:53I pick it up and then do some swing at home.
01:56Sometimes I just stand close to the mirror and swing as well.
02:00After that, I asked my mom if she can allow me to join the academy.
02:07They told her everything is free.
02:09It took me five months to graduate from the range to the course to play tournament
02:14because I took my practice seriously.
02:17I was practicing, practicing, practicing.
02:19And so when the time came, I went for the tournament and I won the girls category.
02:25If I go home and my mom sees this trophy, she will be very, very happy.
02:30Grace, look at you.
02:31You have a trophy.
02:32So that inspired me.
02:34Since then, I started playing in tournaments, winning for the academy.
02:40I felt amazing.
02:42I want to continue with my game.
02:49I don't want to stop playing golf.
02:51When you turn 18, it's not free anymore.
02:54You'll have to sponsor yourself for every tournament.
02:58I try to put in my best in every tournament because there are so many opportunities out there.
03:06I saw a pro from a big golf club.
03:09He's going to take my golf seriously.
03:11He's been the one that has been sponsoring me for all my games.
03:16I won the tournament and then I gained the scholarship to Sport University of Nigeria.
03:21The Sport University of Nigeria is the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa.
03:26We believe deeply in the fusion of sports and education.
03:32We ensure that top talented athletes get to play and practice the sport to the ultimate
03:39goal in sport.
03:40The high performance center and sport leadership hub, which I lead, focus mainly on extra talented athletes.
03:52The ultimate goal in sport is podium finish at the Olympics and become top professionals.
04:00It takes quite a lot to break through because of the cost and availability of facilities.
04:10To see a very young lady being committed and breaking all those difficulty barriers is quite impressive.
04:17I want to be the best female golfer from Africa.
04:20If I compete with other people, different countries around the world, it will get me prepared for any kind of tournament.
04:29I understand the need for participating in competition locally and globally on a consistent basis.
04:36Participation at a golf event builds your confidence, raises your profile and also gives you recognition.
04:43We need to attend competitions in countries that take sport very seriously.
04:52We want to bring some of our talented athletes to Qatar to experience the iconic golf courses and championship golf courses.
05:04It's been a wonderful experience.
05:06I'm sure we're going to be going to other places in the future.
05:09This is going to be a turning point in her life because she's never left the country.
05:13I noticed very clearly that Grace has evolved from almost timid young lady to now being engaging.
05:22I know that she can only get better.
05:25I was very, very happy to play among people that can challenge me.
05:29I am just wondering what other countries' golf courses will look like.
05:34I want to let my country know who Grace Agbo is.
05:38A small girl from a small town who plays golf.
05:41I want to inspire other people because if I can be successful, they can be successful.
05:47I see myself playing golf at the highest levels.
05:52I want to make people in a small town.
05:53I'm pretty happy to stay.
05:54I just want to keep it with my kids.
05:55I want to give it to him to me.
05:57I want to have a look at them.
05:58I'm pretty smart.
05:59I want to have a look at them on a small town.
06:00I want to be happy.
06:01I can be happy with some people.
06:02I want to walk away from theió.
06:03I want to be happy with some people that can have fun.
06:04I don't even know.
06:05I want to build it throughout the country.
06:06I don't feel like it's a girl.
06:07I want to be a little Margaret.
06:09I want to learn it out.
06:11I want to be happy with you.
06:12I want to make esos people that are ours.
06:14I want to achieve some people.
06:15You and I want to give it yourself.