Gold Fields PGA Golf Champs marks 10th anniversary with exciting additions and increased prizemoney
At a press conference held today November 17, 2023, in Accra, Joshua Mortoti, the Executive Vice President and Head of Gold Fields West Africa, announced the launch of the 10th-anniversary edition of the Gold Fields PGA Golf Championship.
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The event, scheduled to take place from November 29 to December 2 at the Damang Golf Course, promises exciting developments and increased cash prizes.
Mortoti revealed that this year's championship would feature thirty-three Ghanaian regular pros and nine foreign regular pros from Togo, Cote D'Ivoire, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria, all competing for the prestigious 10th-anniversary champion title.
Additionally, 18 senior pros, including 17 Ghanaians and one Nigerian, have been invited to participate in the competition.
A notable highlight of the tournament is the inclusion of the first group of female golfers aspiring to become professionals. These women will compete over three days, showcasing their talents and receiving trophies as recognition. While they won't receive cash prizes, Mortoti expressed the hope that the experience gained would contribute to their growth and success in the world of golf.
The defending champion, Kojo Barnni from the Tarkwa Golf Club, will face tough competition from pro golfers such as Vincent Torgah, Emos Korblah, Lucky Ayisah, and Francis Torgah. The total cash prize for the championship has been increased to 385,000 Cedis, with the regular pro champion taking home 80,000 Cedis, up from the previous year's 60,000 Cedis. The senior pro champion will also receive an increased prize of 25,000 Cedis, up from 20,000 Cedis in 2022.
Gold Fields, the headline sponsor since the tournament's inception in 2014, has played a crucial role in nurturing golf talent in Ghana and across Africa. Despite challenges, including the pandemic in 2020, the tournament has maintained its status as one of Ghana's premier golf championships.
In light of the championship's growth, Mortoti hinted at the PGA's plans to announce a major sponsor for future tournaments, further elevating the event's prominence in the country.
Acknowledging the support of sponsors such as Engineers and Planners, Genser Energy, Total Energies, Gaso Petroleum, Liebherr Ghana, Carmeuse, Barbex, Classic Cristken, and AECI Ghana, Mortoti expressed gratitude for their longstanding partnership.
He also emphasized the crucial role of the media in promoting golf in Ghana and thanked them for their continuous coverage, urging them to further spotlight Ghanaian pro golfers and contribute to their success on the international stage. The press conference concluded with Mortoti extending his gratitude to all stakeholders, sponsors, and the media, setting the stage for an anticipated 10th-anniversary championship celebration.