Isaiah Okonofua has emerged champion of the 2024 IBB Independence Day Golf Tournament, dethroning last year’s winner Philip Poroma to clinch the prestigious title at the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja.
Okonofua, who played on handicap 9, scored accumulative gross of 75 with 66 net to beat other competitors including foreign nationals to the coveted trophy at the week-long event.
A member of IBB International Golf and Country Club, Okonofua, while reacting to his victory, said he was humble and honoured to have emerged the overall best player.
“At the beginning, I was nervous because when I saw the draw, I discovered that I was paired with two strong golfers. Playing alongside two people means I must be on top of my game. However, I started poorly due to my nervousness, but I spoke to myself to stop comparing my game with that of those players.
“From then on, the narrative changed and that was how I kept improving with every hole and played my best golf ever at the IBB International Golf and Country Club,” he said.
He described the week-long event to celebrate the 64th Independence Anniversary by the foremost golfing club in the country as great and exciting, saying was so happy to have also represented the country in the single and double match play where Nigeria defeated Ghana to emerge champions.
Other results show P. Uzezi of handicap 10, played 80 gross to emerge the best gross winner after defeating E. Edoka on countback.
Godwin Okoko won the highest prize in the professional male category while Rachael Danjuma won the highest prize for pros in the female category.
In the Division 1 men category for handicap 0 to 10, S. I . Adebayo emerged winner after he played off handicap 10 with 83 gross and 73 net. Past lady captain Grace Ihonvbere won the Lady category.
In the Auxiliary category, Grace Agbo won the prize for the longest drive with a distance of 228 metres, while Francis Amuzu won the men’s category with a distance of 296 metres.
Osaro Amadin smiled home with the award for the nearest to the pin ladies with a distance of 2.0 ft, while Silas Ahiaba emerged winner in the men’s category also with a distance of 2.0 ft.
The host captain, Ibrahim Babayo, who was full of praise for all who made the event successful, said this year’s event would go down in history as one of the most attended and well organised tournaments.
“I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to making this celebration a success, especially our sponsors who have been cheerful givers even in these difficult times,” he said.
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