Showdown in Ikoyi as Ultimate Golf Challenge Returns

In a game that can only be likened to the famed ‘Showdown in Sherwood’, a one-day event that pits the then world Number 1 Tiger Woods against Spaniard Sergio Garcia, nicknamed El-Nino, the serene site of the golf section of Ikoyi Club 1938, will witness a showdown of some sort in a season ending winner-takes-all Ultimate Golf Challenge on December 23rd.

This year’s event will feature the best professional golfers drawn from the PGA of Nigeria Order of Merit List.

The 36-hole competition to be played back-to-back same day will see the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanyo-Olu performing the ceremonial tee off.

The competition which is already generating lots of interest within the golfing community is the second in the series.

At stake is a whooping N2m prize money. Attached to the premium prize are other prizes for Most Birdies, Nearest to the Pin and Longest Drive.

Chairman of the organizing committee, Akin Semowo said the event is the first of its kind in Nigeria and by extension West Africa, designed to promote and grow professional golf in the country.

“Nigeria’s professional golf is still developing but we all have to contribute to its growth. So we came up with this idea as a way of engendering its growth and development”, Semowo said, adding that ‘Ultimate Golf Challenge’ is the promoter’s contribution to the development of golf and professional golf in the country.

Expectedly, the likes of Sunday Olapade, Nigeria’s highest ranked Pro Golfer, Francis Epe, Ikoyi Club highest ranked and the Defending Champion, Andrew Oche Odoh are all gearing up for the Ultimate Golf Showdown in Ikoyi.

Also on the card to feature include; Ghanaian Number one Golfer, Vincent Torgah and USPGA Pro Golfer, Toks Pedro who started his golfing career at Ikoyi Club and flew in from his base in Orlando Florida determined to cart away the ultimate prize.

Ultimate Golf Challenge is sponsored by Polaris Bank, Jamz Group with additional support from Mactay and several individual golfers in Ikoyi Club 1938.