By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Feb. 17, 2025 (NAN) Evelyn Oyome on Sunday in Abuja secured an impressive third consecutive win at the IBB Ladies Amateur Golf Open 2025 after overcoming very tough conditions to successfully defend her title.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament, which was its 26th edition, teed off on Feb. 13 and ended on Feb. 16.
No fewer than 450 golfers from five African countries participated in the week-long tournament, which was held at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.
Oyome, a seasoned amateur golfer from Ikoyi Club, beat off intense pressure from 18 year-old Grace Agbo and Diana Osmond on the final day to make it three wins in a row, having won it in 2023 and 2024 respectively.
Oyome, who is also the President of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), grossed a total score of 248 after posting 82, 79, and 87 gross over three days to retain the title.
An elated Oyome told NAN that she was so happy to have won the tournament again, adding that she attributed her success to God and the support from her caddie.
“Winning this tournament again, the 26th edition is just so awesome, and I congratulate myself as well as my country, Nigeria.
“My caddie was one of the best I had today. He gave forged me on to go ahead, and anytime I missed my put, he encouraged me, and that gave me the courage to forge on.
“Playing with the youngsters was actually very interesting, and I can tell you that those are the players I am going to hand over the baton to in the nearest future,” she said.
She revealed that her secret was her short game, adding that she usually does not hit long but ensures that she does her one, two on the green.
She admitted that even though the final day was very difficult and challenging because of the heat from the sun, she psyched and told herself that she wasn’t playing against any other person but the field.
“Day one was a little bit not bad and not a good feeling for me. I was just in the middle. I had double bogeys on some holes, and I managed to play 82 gross.
“But day two was actually the day that brought me back to this tournament. I played 79 gross; 41 front nine, and 38 back nine.
“Everything went well. My putting was perfect, and my short game was good. But, day 3 wasn’t too good for me, probably due to excessive heat from the sun, but I still found myself winning.
“So, I say thank you very much to the sponsors of this event, the lady captain and her committee for the opportunity as well as all the ladies that came from far and wide to participate in this tournament,” she said.
Nigeria’s Agbo finished as runner up in the category for handicap 0 to 18 with a total gross score of 252, after posting 84, 85, and 83 gross over three days to beat Osmond on countback.
While, fellow compatriot Osmond settled for the second runner-up position with a total gross score of 252 after posting 84, 84, 84.
The winner smiled home with a return ticket to London courtesy of Arik Air, while the runner up won a return ticket to Uyo, including an all-expense paid weekend at the Ibom Golf Resort, courtesy of deestravels.
The second runner-up was also compensated with a return ticket to Uyo.A total prize money of $5,000 was up for grabs in the Ladies Professional category with Nigeria’s Rachael Danjuma emerging winner as she smiled home with a $1,300 cash prize.
Eva Magala of Uganda finished as runner-up nett to settle for a $ 900 cash prize, while Nigeria’s Uloma Ogbuokiri settled for the second runner-up prize of $700.
In the Ladies Special Category for handicap 29 to 54, J. Umolu playing off handicap 344 returned a gross score of 104 and 70 nett to emerge winner of the category.
J. Kpamor won the vetran Ladies category after she played off handicap 24 with a total gross 135 (69 + 66) over two days.G. Omisore was the winner of the Super Veteran category, after she played off handicap 43 and garnered 38 stable ford points.
P. Chidolue playing off handicap 10 returned 77 gross to emerge winner of the men’s gross category.
In the men’s nett category for handicap 0 to 18, K.K. Yusuf won the prize after playing off handicap 17 and returned 85 gross and 68 nett.
U. Abubakar took home the winner’s prize of the men’s nett category for handicap 19 to 54 after playing off handicap 22 and returned a gross score of 86 and 64 nett.
In the special guests and Excos category, the Vice Captain of IBB Golf Club, James Agbonhese emerged winner of the category after he played off handicap 18 and returned 89 gross and 71 nett.
An excited lady captain, Dame Julie Donli, OON described the event as memorable and a success, noting that it was the biggest Ladies Open ever in the history of the club.
Donli noted that players came from far and wide to enjoy three days of good golfing experience and made new friends, adding that she was overwhelmed as she never expected the crowd, especially at the dinner and award ceremony.
“We had over 450 golfers that participated in this event. We also had over 50 clubs from the various parts of Nigeria, with five countries.
“This is the biggest ever Ladies Open recorded anywhere in the world, not just in Nigeria, and I am very happy about it.
“I believe that the participants were happy with the course as the IBB International Golf course meets international standards.
“They are very few of them, and we are one of the best in the world. So, it’s every golfers dream to play here, and of course, it has an excellent hospitality that comes with it,” she said.
She attributed the success of the event to good and early planning by she and her committee.
“Good planning is very important. We actually started planning this like over six months back.
“Six months back, we had everything ready. When I say everything, I mean everything is ready. All we had to do was check. We kept checking and had our plan B just in case plan A doesn’t work.
“So, I think early planning, commitment, hard work by my team members and I was responsible for this,” she said.(NAN)
