Torgah Edges Rivals at Star-studded 2023 Lakowe Classic

Ghanaian golf professional, Vincent Torgah, over the weekend emerged winner of the 2023 Lakowe Classic in an event that featured some of West Africa’s best professional golfers.

Torgah shot 74, 68, and 65, totaling nine-under par, which gave him five strokes edge at the 54-hole invitational tournament in Lagos.

“I want to thank God for this victory. Lakowe Lakes is one of the most challenging courses around, and returning -7 in the closing round here is not a mean feat. I think it worked out well for me today, apart from the players on course for this event driving me to be my best as well.”

He picked the N2 million winner’s cheque for the event, which also contributed to his team lifting the grand prize at the event. 

Other members of his team included; Jummai Abdullahi, Frances Omaruaye, and Adetunji Adebayo. They all amassed a 118 net score.

Deji Ali, Chairman of Mixta Africa, the host and a major sponsor of the event, said the tournament has lived up to one of its objectives by being able to pull interest beyond Nigeria to the facility for the event.

“The event has proven what a belief in Nigeria can achieve. As it coincides with the celebration of Nigeria’s independence anniversary,” he further noted.

Other winners at the event include Francis Epe, Nigeria’s best-ranked professional golfer, whose four-under finish at the event gave his teammates, Funke Oguntonnade, Lanre Shagaya, and Kingsley Okunbor a second-place finish at the three-day event.

United States-based Samba Niang, from Senegal, said he was happy to be back in Nigeria, where his professional golf experience took shape.

“It is my first time of playing in the country since 2019, and it has been an experience to see some of the players that shaped my early professional years. “And, of course, coming back to Lakowe Lakes Golf Estate; which is easily the best golf facility in West Africa, is a great experience. I play in the United States now, and seeing that facilities like the ones we have here are maintained, is encouraging.”

The Lakowe Classic is a yearly invitational Pro-Am event hosted in Lagos, with top West African professional golfers in attendance. Of late, the event has also incorporated activities that pulls-in non-golfers called “Escaped to The Green”, ETTG.

This year’s ETTG, featured Nigerian entertainers like Jimi Solanke and Banky W (Wellington), and included activities like Tennis, Fishing, Tales By Moonlight, and Picnic, among others.