Golf: Nafiu, Jessica win at Inaugural Open
Jessica Tei and Nafiu Abubakar shared the glory after winning the ladies and men’s scratch events respectively at the Inaugural Open of the Achimota Golf Club played over the weekend.
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Both golfers beat off strong challenge to claim the top prizes -- a trophy and a return ticket to South Africa --on a weekend which brought together the cream of
Ghana’s golfers and some players from the West African sub-region, for the commissioning the country’s premier golfing destination, following extensive rehabilitation works undertaken by Pail McGinley Golf, which reshaped the course to bring it up to world-class standards.
Jessica of the Achimota Club returned a gross score of 167 to beat evergreen Mona Myles Lamptey of Tema Country club (169 gross) and Felicia Okyei Gyeabour of the Royal Club (180 gross) to second and third positions respectively.
Abubakar of the Obuasi Club, returned a gross score of 144 to finish ahead of Maxwell Owusu Bonsu of the Royal Club of Kumasi (151 gross) and Yao Dogbe of Achimota (152 gross).
Abubakar again won the Closest to the Pin for the men, while Nana Bema Tackie of Achimota Club won the Closest to the Pin for the ladies.
George Basonege of Obuasi Club won the Longest Drive for men, with Jessica claiming the honours for the ladies.
In the Ladies Handicap event, Nana Bema Tackie returned a net score of 156 for the top position, followed by Gabonese Cecile Poncet (156 net) and Ruth Mendz of Nsuta Club (158 net).
Michael Acheampong of the host club won the Men’s Handicap with a net score of 137 ahead of Frank Avorsey (141 net) and Felix Akafo (145 net).
Over 200 golfers, comprising 187 amateurs and 20 pros drawn from 15 clubs --Togo, IBB (Nigeria), Ikoyi (Nigeria), Tarkwa, Obuasi, Nsuta, Celebrity, Tema Country, Bok Nam Kim, Royal, Beige, Tafo, Takoradi, Gabon, and Achimota -- participated in the competition on Saturday and Sunday.
A 12-year-old Gabonese boy, Pharel Youmbouabono, won the Juniors competition with a gross score of 179 after beating his rival Dane Donton (185 gross).
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr Mustapha Ahmed represented President John Dramani Mahama as the Guest of Honour on the final day.