DSP Shuaibu Mohammed Sulaiman of Kano Golf Club, Lasisi Lateef of Abeokuta Golf Club and Grace Yusuf of Ado-Ekiti Golf Club have emerged winners of the 13th edition of Elizabeth Wuraola Ade-Ojo Memorial Golf tournament which ended last Saturday at the Smokin Hills Golf Resort in Ilara Mokin, Ondo State.
Sulaiman, playing handicap 9, produced a stunning net point of 68 to claim his first victory at the tourney in the Amatuer category. The first and second runners- up Adebayo Dapo and Lee Gibson, posted a net of 73 and 74 respectively.
Last year’s runner-up in the professional cadre, Lateef posted a gross of 78 to clinch his victory as against his 75 gross in the last edition.
The pair of Nogim Sofela of Miccom Golf Club and Bakare Basiru of Lakowe Golf Club, Lagos, placed second and third with a respective Gross of 79 and 81.
In the Ladies event, the reigning champion, Yusuf held firm to her title as she grossed 71 as against her 33 for last edition. She was closely followed by Asuni Maria who posted a net gross of 73 for the second position while Dupe John placed third with a net gross of 78 on count back.
Reacting to his feat at the tourney, an overwhelmed Sulaiman was grateful to God for giving him the victory this year.
“Last year I was here but didn’t win anything even as I put in my best because this golf course is a very difficult one.
“However, this time around, I told my people that no matter how difficult the course is, that I am going to win this year having learnt from my mistakes. So I put in extra effort and that was what saw me through.
“When I started from hole five and played about four birdies and five overs gross, I don’t think anybody played that my shoreline and that gave me the confidence that I was going to win”, he said.
On his part, Lateef said, “ I thank God for giving me the tournament this year. I came here to prepare for Nigeria Masters Golf tournament taking place in Abuja next week and I hope to play well too.
“I was a runner-up last year to Okoromi who’s also my colleague and my boy. Last year was his turn and this year is mine and so I have taken my chance after training hard for it. This is my third time of playing in the Wuraola Ade-Ojo Memorial tournament which has come to stay having endured 12th editions and I pray to God to give Baba ( Chief Michael Ade.Ojo) more years to be fit in sponsoring it”.
As usual, no golfer was able to win the Toyota Hilux star prize staked for the Hole-in-One.
Speaking on the Hole-in-One no golfer had been able to win, Bernard Nduka, a professional golfer from Ibadan Golf Club said, “When it comes to Hole-in-one, it has nothing to do with golfers skill’. Actually that has got to do with pure luck and most especially, because they are amateur players, I feel they are much more engrossed with the prize rather than playing their normal game”.
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