Godwin Okoko of the David Mark International Golf Academy has emerged the overall winner of the just concluded IBB Junior Open Championships held at the IBB Golf and Country Golf Club, Abuja.
The three-day championships, which got underway on Wednesday with a ceremonial tee-off, with over 130 young golfers between the ages of 7 and 18 years vying for honours, ended on Friday.
Okoko posted a score of 75, 76 and 75 respectively, with a total gross of 226 and a 10 over course par for a period of three days.
The feat by the 16-year old, included two eagles and 13 birdies over 54 holes to finish with a whopping seven stroke lead in the male Category One for players aged between 16 years to 18 years.
John Alex also of St. Mark Golf Academy, Otukpo, finished with a best gross of 233 and he was followed by Emmanuel Eleji with a second place gross of 244, and Michael Isife of the Enugu Golf Club with a third place gross of 251.
Speaking after the game, Okoko expressed joy at winning the trophy, which he dedicated to David Mark (Jnr), the President, David Mark International Golf Academy.
“I have been training for three years and I feel good winning. I practiced hard to ensure that I defend my title.
“I am grateful to my sponsor, David Mark (Jnr.), and I also want to thank the organisers for a well organised tournament,” he said.
An elated Mark told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the young Okoko was a star in the making.
“His success in the junior golf circuit is based on talent, hard work and mental strength,” he said.
In a similar vein, Iyene Essien of the IBB Golf and Country Club, Abuja, emerged the overall best in the female Category One for players aged 16 to 18 years, with a best gross of 254.
Also, Janet Alli and Joy Akatu both of the Otukpo Golf Club with a gross of 265 and 279, respectively, finished in second and third places.
Joy Ikwue, the Vice Lady Captain of the IBB Golf and Country Club, expressed her delight at Essien’s victory, noting that she was a product of the IBB Children’s Golf Development Clinic.
“The tournament was quite impressive and the kids really surpassed our expectations. This shows that the future of golf in the country is very bright.
“The younger ones are getting interested in the game and they are doing pretty well.
”Essien, just like our very own golf sensation George Oboh, is a product of our children’s golf development clinic and we are proud of her progress so far,” she said.
She also praised the Otukpo Golf Club for the success it recorded at the three-day championship.
“I think the Otukpo Golf Club dominating the tournament shows that they are putting much more effort. They have a structured academy and the kids are putting more efforts into it than the other clubs.
“The club in Jos is also doing great,” she added.
(NAN)
