Okpe Wins Ultimate Golf Challenge

The second edition of the annual Ultimate Golf Challenge came to a thrilling ends at the Golf Section of Ikoyi Club 1938 on Thursday with Minna based Stephen Okpe emerging winner. To come tops in the tournament, Okpe shot an opening 72 and closed with 1-under 70 for 142-total over 36-holes.

His victory was aided by birdies on hole-5, the 8th, the 11th and the 12th in his closing round. Though bogeys on the 7th and double-bogey on the 10th dented his red doted card, it wasn’t enough to push him down the winners chart. His effort earned him the tournament Ultimate Prize of N2m.

Ghanaian top seed, Vincent Torgah also gave a good account of himself coming second in the keenly contested encounter. An opening 71 and a closing 72 placed him in the second position.

Christopher Francis came third at 2-over par 144 while Port Harcourt based professional, Willy Gift came fourth at 3-over par, a position he shared with tournament favourites and defending champion, Francis Epe.

Epe who open his game with 3-under 68, the best score of the opening round threw his lead away courtesy of some wayward drives, missed puts and miscalculated bunker-shots on the back-nine to fall short of the title.

While Epe bemoans his fate, Okpe relishes his victory. Speaking shortly after the round, Opke said, “This victory is a great one. I came here to enjoy golf and play my game knowing that I wasn’t even seen as one of the favourties but here I am today a champion”.

Though, the 36-holes tournament was a winner-takes-all affair, there were other consolation prizes and birdies were rewarded as well as longest drives.

Polaris Bank, Jamz Group, Mactay were the tournament sponsors.

CAPTION- Ultimate Golf Challenge Promoter, Femi Pedro, Chairman, Ikoyi Club 1938, Ademola Mumuney, tournament winner, Stephen Okpe and Head, Strategic Brand Management, Polaris Bank, Nduneche Ezurike