Nafiu, Jessica triumph at Inaugural Open

Nafiu Abubakar emerged the overall winner of the Inaugural Open of the Achimota Golf Club played over the weekend, beating his closest challenger Maxwell Osei Bonsu to second position of the men’s scratch competition.

Abubakar of the Obuasi Club, returned a gross score of 144 to finish ahead of Bonsu of the Royal Club of Kumasi who grossed 151, with Yao Dogbe of Achimota (152 gross) finishing third in the two-day event which brought together all who mattered in golf to officially commission the refurbished course and clubhouse.

Jessica Tei of Achimota club ensured the host club were represented on the honours list as she won the ladies competition, beating evergreen Mona Myles Lamptey of Tema Country Golf club and Felicia Okyei Gyeabour of the Royal Club to second and third positions respectively.

Jessica returned a gross score of 167, while mona grossed 169 and Felicia 180 gross.

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 a fitting climax on Sunday.

The Achimota club, the country’s premier golfing destination, was established in 1927 and has since undergone various rehabilitation works but none as comprehensive as was done over the last two years by Paul McGinley Golf which redesigned the course to USPGA standard through sponsorship by Tullow Oil Plc, while the club house was rebuilt into a modern facility through contribution of members of the club.

The inaugural opening was, therefore, as much a competition as it was a celebration of a significant milestone by the Achimota Club, as the Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr Mustapha Ahmed joined the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Oforipanin, and other dignitaries last Sunday to present prizes to deserving winners.