By Obaseki Anthony in Yenegoa on January 20, 2020

The inaugural International Invitational Open Golf Championship in Yenagoa came to a climax over the weekend with Francis Epe of the Ikoyi Golf Club emerging winner in the Professional category.

About 28 professional golfers from five African countries – Zimbabwe, Gabon, Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria as well as South Korea – took part in the two-day championship in the Bayelsa State capital.

Also, 24 amateur golfers from 13 states (Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo, Enugu, Delta, Cross River, Kogi, Niger, Abuja, Lagos, Osun and Abia) took turns to strut their stuff.

The official tee off held on Friday with the professionals as Patani, Delta State-born Francis Epe of the Ikoyi Golf Club, Lagos, clinched the top prize in the tournament.

Epe, who stroked seven under par over 18 holes to emerge victoious, said he was thrilled to have won in a place he considers as home.

In the amateur event, Tim Ayodike, a handicap five golfer, recorded a net score of 70 to emerge winner ahead of Hakeem Rahimi and Julius Nworgu.

Lucky Emmanuel went home with the top prize in the Gross play with a net score of 75 ahead of Hamilton Patrick.

The Ladies event was won by Christy Assets with a net score of 71 to beat Susan Cole Quakers and Joyce Nnule.

Richie Etonye went home with the trophy in the game of government officials ahead of Jonathan Obuebite.

Victory in the Veterans category went to a former Minister of Health Tim Menakaya with a net score of 68 ahead of Nazidi A. and Rich Koripamo.

Aliyu Mohammed was winner in the Special Guests event with a net score of 63 ahead of Shola Awoyinbo, Amah Ikiru and Christie Obomanu Asisi.

The award for longest drive for professionals went to Visitor Macomba of Zimbabwe.

Governor Seriake Dickson while inaugurating the Yenagoa Golf Course and International Open Invitational Tournament on Saturday, said the Golf Course was part of the drive by the outgoing administration to boost tourism and enhance socio economic development of the state.

Dickson, who will be vacating the governorship office on February 14, urged the incoming administration of Governor-elect David Lyon to sustain and consolidate on the gains recorded.

He stated that a Polo tournament would also be held before the end of January to formally launch the Polo Club and facility being developed simultaneously with the golf course within the same vicinity behind Government House.

“This inauguration in my honour is a good development and I believe this should be the best Golf Course.

“This is one of the good ideas I have which has translated into action, my advice to the incoming administration is to work toward achieving greater development for the people.

“They should know that this dream of development is about the future of our state, I hope the next administration will see the need for continuity,” the Governor said.

The Bayelsa Golf Course is an 18-hole facility built on reclaimed and sand filled land.

It is part of a housing estate proposed to host over 200 residential units.

Designed and built by Total Golf Construction, Vero Beach, Florida, USA, the golf course covers 7,015 yards (6,366 meters) from the championship tees and 5,612 yards (5,092 meters) from the forward tees.

There are 4 to 6 sets of tees to make the course enjoyable for the golfers.

The Golf course is proposed to have 8 lakes, covering over 180,000 square meters with one used as an Aqua Driving Range.

•PHOTO: Some of the participants in the inaugural International Invitational Open Golf Championship in Yenagoa

Source Daily Sports

Posted January 20, 2020

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