By Victor Okoye
Bonny Island (Rivers State) The 2023 edition of the NLNG Golf Classic ended in Bonny, Rivers State on Saturday with John Taiwo and Lady Bridget Ogwah clinching the top prize in the men and ladies categories.
The NLNG Golf Classic sponsored by Nigeria LNG which is in its fifth edition began on Friday at the Bonny Island Golf Club (BIGC).
The annual golf competition staged inside the Bonny Island Golf Club, witnessed intense competition by no fewer than 100 participants.
At the end, Taiwo and Ogwah clinched the tournament’s top prizes as they emerged winners in the NLNG Men’s Division 1 (for handicap 0 to 18) and Ladies Division 1 Categories (for handicap 0 to 28) respectively.
Taiwo played off handicap 13 and posted a 67 net score to claim the men’s top prize, while Ogwah playing off handicap 21 posted an impressive 70 net.
Speaking thereafter, Taiwo said that he sustained uncommon focus and commitment throughout a 10-year period in his amateur career in golf.
“This is my 10th year of playing golf, and one thing I have learnt about the game is that you need to be patient, consistent, and focused.
“Also, you have to believe in yourself. I have some mentors who have taught me through these years, and one of them is Dr Kodi Izuora.
“So, I feel so happy. This is not the first time I have won a prize at the NLNG Classic, but most times I had finished in the runners up position.
“This is actually the first time of winning this prestigious golf classic trophy,” he said.
He expressed his gratitude to the organisers and everyone who contributed in one way or the other towards his success and that of the tournament.
John Olorundare playing off handicap 13 with a net score of 67 and Dada Aiyedun playing off handicap 11 with 70 net finished as 1st and second runners up respectively in the men’s division 1 category.
Lady Nes Saliu playing off handicap 20 with a net score of 71 and Lady Olijie Adekoya playing off handicap 27 returning a net score of 75 settled for the 1st and second runners up positions in the lady’s division 1 category.
Seun Adedipe with 77 gross and BIGC Lady Captain Nnenna Ahube with 90 gross won the prize for BIGC best gross in the men and ladies categories.
BIGC Captain Abubakar Hussaini won the prize for the nearest to the pin and longest drive, while Lady Ochuko Orogun won the prize for the longest drive ladies.
Lady Nkechi Leeb took home the award for the nearest to the pin ladies.
For the NLNG Men’s Division 2 category, Osarode Iduoriyekemwen playing off handicap 24 and returning a net score of 70 emerged winner.
Ikenna Duru settled for the 1st runner up position having played off handicap 28 with a net score of 73, while Temitayo Ogundoju playing off handicap 28 with 74 net finished as 2nd runner up.
In the NLNG Women’s Division 2 category, Lady Fortune Longjohn playing off handicap 29, returned a net score of 67 to emerge winner, while Lady Bessie Obei (hcp 36) with 72 net and Lady Nkechi Leeb (hcp 35) with 77 net finished as 1st and 2nd runners up respectively.
There were also prices for best veteran men which was won by Ibrahim Bagudu with 80 net (hcp 18), while Taofeek Ejalonibu with 88 net (hcp 26) clinched the prize for the runners up position.
In the veteran ladies categories, Evelyn Oyome, the President, Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) won the category with 76 net (hcp 5).
Lady Faridah Wada from IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja smiled home with the runners up prize with 77 net (hcp 13).
NAN reports that the tournament which teed-off on Friday ended on Saturday.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
