Odoh Wins Mark @69 Golf Tourney

*Sets new course record

Olawale Ajimotokan in Otukpo
Andrew Oche Odoh finished deep in the red to win the Senator David Mark @ 69 Golf Tournament at Otukpo Golf and Country Club, Benue State, over the weekend.

The Nigerian pro, who competes on the Sunshine Tour in South Africa, carded a final round 66 to cap a stunning exhibition of golf in honour of the former president of Nigeria’s Senate.
His combined score of -21 under par over 72 holes also shattered the previous Otukpo course record of 18 under held by Gboyega Oyebanji.

Odoh, who was playing his first official tournament in Nigeria this year, embarrassed the highly regarded Emos Korblah, who tied for second position with Chidi Tobias, with a 19-shot margin.
Such was his dominance that the title was already sealed with an unassailable 15 shots lead before the final round cluster of 37 players teed off. He played the last 36 holes at 11 under to improve on his opening two rounds which he dictated at 10 under par.

“He was in a different world, dictating the tempo of game and competing against himself. By any standard that was an unbelievable outing by a great player,’’ conceded Oyebanji.

Oyebanji, who finished in 17th position, added that the conditions under which Odoh shattered the course record were tougher than the conditions he (Oyebanji) set the course record several years ago.
“The course has been lengthened to make approach play a bit herculean, while the greens have been reduced in size. The course played as a brown when I set the course record’’.

Elisha Markus finished fourth at 2 over par ahead of Kabiru Mohammed, who won the Ecobank Invitational in Liberia. Daniel Pam placed sixth at 5 over, while Sunday Olapade carded a 6 over par 294 for the seventh position.
Odoh, who did not make the cut at last month’s Kenyan Open at Muthiaga Golf Club, thanked Mark for the consistent support for pro golf and grassroots golf development in Nigeria.

“To put the number together was not an easy feat. I got a big run and a huge lead which gave me the advantage. It has been a long while since anybody had won a tournament in Nigeria with such an emphatic lead which is a step in the right direction for me,’’ Odoh remarked.

The icing on cake was the investiture of Mark as the Life Vice-President of the Professional Golfers Association of Nigeria (PGAN).
PGAN Director Samson Lawal, who endowed Mark with the famed green jacket, said he was honoured for being a gentleman and a great supporter of professional golf in Nigeria in addition to running a golf academy in the country.