By Victor Okoye

Abuja, Nov. 27, 2023 (NAN) Nnenna Ahube, Lady Captain of the prestigious Bonny Island Golf Club (BIGC), NigeriaLNG Ltd. has emerged as the winner of the 2023 Nigeria Ladies Open in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ahube who is from the Eastern zone finished on Sunday as the overall winner after playing 251 gross over three days.

Lady Captain Nnenna Ahube playing handicap (HCP) 12 returned a gross scores of 85, 81 and 85 on a three consecutive days totaling 251 gross.

The result saw her triumph over no fewer than 125 lady golfers who competed for the prestigious 2023 Nigerian Ladies Open trophy at the TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja.

“I came all the way to represent the Eastern zone and today I am taking the trophy home all the way from Abuja to Bonny Island.

“I played with amazing ladies from different golf clubs from across the country.

“It was just my lucky day. I mean, it was exhausting but golf is what it is,” an excited Ahube said.

She however noted that the course was quite challenging as it was her first experience playing at the TYB International Golf Resort Resort and Club.

She expressed joy that she was able to surmount all the challenges at the end of a pulsating encounter.

“On the zonal competition which was my first day, I played six on hole one but then the the three days of the championship, I played pars on them.

“And then we got to hole three where the flag was placed in a very difficult position.

“I saw some people play 12, 14 today but I made it. I was three on the green and ended up playing out 7.

“So, those were my highlights and most challenging holes on the final day,” she said.

Ahube was closely followed by Blessing Obaje from Northern zone with a total score of 253 over 18 holes in the handicap 0-18 category.

Comfort Adokole with 255 gross and Rita Izoje with 261 gross finished as 1st and 2nd runners-up respectively.

In the auxiliary prizes, Obioma Elijah shot 230 metres off tee, which was adjudged as the longest drive on Day 1.

Grace Ogehili with a 245 metres off tee effort won the prize for the longest drive on Day 2.

Angel Ajuzie won the nearest to the pin prize with her 4.2 metres effort on Day 1, while Faith Otunyo won nearest to the pin with a 6.7 metres effort on Day 2.

NAN also reports that Sandra Emina and Igho Ugbehu of the Southern Zone emerged winners of the competition competed for by the four zones.

Sandra Komakech and Blessing Obaje who both represented the Northern Zone finished second.

The duo of Helen Ayo and Nnena Ahube of the Eastern Zone settled for the third position, while the pair of Hauwa Adamu and Susan Marcus of the Western Zone finished at the bottom of the log.

Also in a match past parade, the Northern Zone impressed the judges the most and were adjudged the winners, followed by the Eastern Zone in second position.

The Western and Southern Zone with finished third and fourth respectively.

Meanwhile, Evelyn Oyome of Ikeja 1938 Golf Club from the Western Zone has emerged as the new President of LGAN.

She took over from Juliet Monyei-Inyere who is from the Southern zone after been duly elected at the end of the association’s elective Congress on Saturday in Abuja.

Oyome who is the current number one ranked female amateur golfer in the country told NAN that she hoped to build on the successes of her predecessor.

She stressed that continuity would be the focus during her two-year tenure.

“This for me is a privilege and I must say that my predecessor Juliet Monyei has done alot.

“I am actually really surprised and happy for what she has done for the association,” she said.

She added however that she would be bringing in some new innovations in order to move the association to greater heights.

“Taking over from her, I made up my mind that we are going to bring in some new innovations by making sure we create a database for the association.

“We are also going to continue with Ekanem Ekwueme who is a certified R & A expert and Trustee for West and Central Africa, to ensure that the association is on the website.

“We are also going to make sure we rate ourselves and create ranking points for the ladies from number 1 to 50.

“Henceforth, we will be playing 54 holes in Nigeria as part of the requirements of R & A,” she said.

She added that she would be working very closely with her committee to further improve the image of the Association.

“I can’t do it alone. I have a committee, and we will work together to move the association forward, but continuity is key,” she said.

Oyome was also elected alongside other new LGAN Executives and will be at the helms of affairs for a two-year tenure from 2023 to 2025.

They include: Lami Ahmed (Zonal Vice-president North and LGAN 1st Vice-president), Faith Otunyo (Zonal Vice-president, East), Habiibah Oyeghe Oyarekhua (Zonal Vice-president, South) and Evelyn Balogun (Zonal Vice-president, West).

Others include; Olatoun Yusuf (Hon. Secretary), Patience Ozoemene (Treasurer), Enene Fonne (Financial Secretary), Angel Ajuzie (Public Relations Officer) and Juliet Monyei-Inyere (Ex-officio).

The 2023 Nigeria Ladies Open which was organised by LGAN which began on Thursday ended on Sunday at the TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja.(NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)