Iyare Emerges Garth Dooley @ 70 Pro/Am Invitational Tourney Champions

Osazee Iyare with a net score of 134 over two days emerged overall champion at the Garth Dooley @ 70 Pro/Am Invitational Tournament concluded over the weekend at Benin Club Golf Club (BCGS), Edo State.

The five days tournament was sponsored by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) to celebrate Garth Dooley, an icon, and a quintessential foreign investor that contributed immensely to the Nigerian economy and called Benin his home town.

Placing second and third, respectively, in the men’s hcp 0 -18 were Engr Esosa Ojomo and Felix Aganmwonyi, while Jude Igbinadolor won the best gross award with a gross score of 170 over two days as well.

In his address, Chairman, Organising Committee, Mr. Kingsley Okunbor, a former Captain of BCGS described Garth Dooley as a brother whose contributions to the development of golf in BCGS and other clubs across Nigeria are immeasurable.

“We are very happy to be celebrating one of our own, Garth Dooley, a jolly good fellow with this mega golf tournament. We are grateful to the tournament sponsors, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited; Captain of BCGS, Joseph Idahosa, aka Zaza, and members for their show of love and support to this great man.

 Dooley in his address thanked the Organising Committee, management of BCGS, members and guests across the country for honouring him at 70 with a five day tournament that also featured professionals. He stated that this tournament would spur him to do more for the club, adding that life starts at 70.

Other winners included, Ade Edeki in the men’s hcp 19 – 28, Prince Austin Eweka won the veteran men’s just as Dr. Gabriel Ihenyen clinched the super veteran men’s category.

Joy Omorogiuwa won the ladies hcp 0 – 28 category with 137 net over two days, while Ehis Igbinadolor with 167 gross won the best gross award. J. Ogbeifun emerged victorious in hcp 29 – 36. Also, former Lady Captain, Juliet Ugiagbe won the ladies veteran, while Prof. Josephine Mokwunyei claimed the super veterans event.

Former LGAN Southern Zone Vice-President, Sandra Emina cleared the Day One ladies longest drive hole seven and nearest the pin hole eight awards. Hon. Osaze Ero and Osazee Iyare shared the men’s longest drive and nearest the pin award, respectively.

On Day two, Princess Habiibah Oyeghe Oyarekhua, LGAN Southern Zone Vice-President, clinched nearest the pin hole 10 while Destiny Okoh won the longest drive award. Iyare also won men’s longest drive hole 10 just as Rear Admiral M.B Hassan won nearest the pin hole 14.

It would be recalled that 35 invited pros from southern zone and over 150 amateurs from UBTH Golf Club; Ikoyi Golf Club, Lagos; IBB Golf and Country Club, Abuja; Ibori Golf and Country Club (IGCC), Asaba, Ogunnu Golf Resort, Sapele Athletic Club Golf Section, Delta State; Ibadan Golf Club, Port-Harcourt Golf Club, and many others teed-off at the tournament.