It was a moment of pride and nostalgia at the historic Rayfield Golf Club in Jos on Saturday, May 10, 2025, as family, friends, dignitaries, and golfing enthusiasts gathered to honor Plateau State’s oldest golfer, Dara Sam Gyang, on his 95th birthday. The event featured a special golf kitty tournament in his name, sponsored by Brigadier-General Gakji Shipi (Rtd).
The Rayfield Golf Course, Nigeria’s oldest golf facility established in 1913, provided a fitting backdrop for the occasion. Dara Sam Gyang, who began playing golf in 1933 as a young boy, took to the course once again, completing all 18 holes to the admiration and cheers of spectators—including his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and members of the golfing community.
Speaking at the event, the celebrant expressed deep gratitude to God for sustaining him through the years and described the Sam Gyang Golf Tournament as a unique and fulfilling experience. “I still have the same passion for golf as I did in my youth,” he remarked.
Sponsor of the tournament, Brig-Gen. Gakji Shipi (Rtd), said he was inspired to organize the event after witnessing Sam Gyang’s unwavering dedication to the sport despite his advanced age. “When I met Dara and learned he was still playing at 95, I felt it was something worth emulating,” Shipi said. “He represents resilience, determination, and a lifestyle that should inspire the younger generation.”
He also emphasized the lifelong physical and mental benefits of golf, calling it “a game that mirrors life,” adding that “golf exercises your body, mind, and spirit—it’s a game you can play at any age.”
Among the dignitaries present was Hon. Joe Bukar, who lauded the celebrant’s strength and vitality. “It’s a privilege to celebrate our grandfather, and we pray that God grants us the grace to reach such an age in good health and sound mind,” Bukar stated.
The event concluded with a prize presentation ceremony recognizing outstanding players, followed by a grand birthday party in honor of Sam Gyang. The golfing community described the celebration as one of a kind, praising Gyang’s legacy and contribution to the sport in Plateau State.
Observers noted that in 2022, the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) recognized 95-year-old Pa James Omolaso as the country’s oldest golfer after he played a few holes at the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja. However, Sam Gyang’s feat of completing a full 18-hole game at the same age is expected to draw attention from the NGF and possibly earn him national recognition.
The day was not just a birthday—it was a celebration of a life devoted to sport, discipline, and endurance, inspiring generations of golfers in Plateau State and beyond.
