Francis Epe of Ikoyi Club 1938 won his first professional title with three shots victory at the 6th Pa Aikwuta Mark Memorial Golf Tournament held in Otukpo Golf and Country Club, Benue State over the weekend.
The Pro-Am golf championship is hosted annually in Otukpo by the immediate past Senate President David Mark in memory of his late father, Pa Aikwuta Mark.
Epe carded 2 under par 286 in sublime conditions to rake home the winner’s purse.
Emos Korblah of Ghana finished in second position ahead of compatriot Vincent Torgah who came third at +2 over par.
Epe, the only player on the field to finish the 72-hole contest under par, recovered to win the tournament after he opened with a bogey.
He played in the last group that had Sunday Olapade and Gift Willy and hit 14 fairways to close the final round at two under par 70.
Elisha Markus, Willy and Olapade, whose opening tee shot found the rough to the left, shared fourth position at +3 over par 291.
“It was not an easy tournament to win because I battled stage fright that normally comes with playing in the final round. But I controlled my temperament, struck to my game plan and reaped from vital birdies and par saves. I hit all par threes and never made another bogey until hole15. It leaves a lingering feeling to start the Nigerian season as the winner,” Epe said afterwards.
Victor Enaigbe won the Senior Tour at six over par 222, beating Kabiru Mohammed into second position at seven over par. Lateef Lasisi finished third at 226.
Danjuma Joel won the men Category 2 event with 131 nett, beating Sam Igbetua by five shots, while Blessing Obaje won the Ladies Handicap 0-36 gross prize with 146.
Sponsor of the tournament, Senator Mark, recognised the importance of the professional arm of golf, stressing that Nigeria would not be regarded as a great golfing nation if the professional game was underdeveloped.
He therefore assured that he will devote time and resources to develop the game to professional standard just as he urged Nigerians to embrace the sport.
He implored both government and private concerns to make it a cardinal programme to develop sports not just as an avenue for competitions but a needed tool to promote the unity between and among Nigerians.
Mark’s wife, Helen, who is the Lady Captain of Otukpo Golf and Country Club, added that everything necessary would be done to propagate the game of golf especially among youths in order to keep them away from vices.
Mrs. Mark was pleased to note that Nigerian women have started to embrace the game of golf hitherto perceived as the exclusive preserve for men.
