Emmanuel Ojeabulu, winner of the 61st FirstBank Lagos Open Golf Championship has been listed in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).
The premier golf championship, which was held from November 18 to November 20 at the golf section of Ikoyi Club 1938, was keenly contested by over 190 low handicap players from several golf clubs across Nigeria, with Benin-based Ojeabulu emerging as the champion.
Playing three shots off the pace going into the last 18 holes, Ojeabulu played some of the best golf of his life, maintaining steady pars for a closing 74, 3 over the course par to win the World Amateur Golf Ranking-recognised event by two shots.
Ojeabulu started his game with an opening 75, a second day score of 78 and a closing 74 to replace Ilorin-based Aminu Kadir on the winners’ list.
Overnight leader, a 20-year-old product of the David Mark Golf Academy, George Paul, who was tipped to win the tournament, buckled under pressure, closing with a 79 to lose by two shots.
In the third position was Muyideen Olaitan, a three-time winner of the coveted FirstBank Lagos Open trophy, while Iyare Osaze was further down on the winners’ chart by one shot.
Perennial contender, Olajide Owolabi, who shot the tournament’s best score of 72 on Day 2 of the competition, finished in the fifth position.
FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, sponsors of the annual Lagos Amateur Open Golf Championship, has pledged its commitment to the continuous sponsorship of the tournament, which is one of the longest-running golf tournaments in the country.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 61st edition of the tournament in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, who was represented by Executive Director, Chief Risk Officer of First Bank of Nigeria Limited Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, said: “This year made it 61 years of our undiluted commitment to this cause, and we are absolutely delighted with the amazing support and partnership we have enjoyed from Ikoyi Club 1938, thus contributing to building a legacy not only for golf and golfers, but sports in its entirety.
“To all the amateur golfers produced at this year’s championship, these champions are an inspiration and testament that you can do the impossible and I look forward to celebrating you as winners in future championships. Remember that in the words of Ben Hogan, ‘The most important shot in golf is the next one’.”
Satisfied with the turnout of the participants, Golf Captain, Tony Oboh, said: “It is not easy to keep a tournament like this going, I therefore congratulate FirstBank for their commitment.”
Since its debut, FirstBank Lagos Amateur Open Golf Championship has been the most consistent and premier amateur golf event in West Africa and has produced great champions, most of who are competing in elite professional golf competitions.
Other FirstBank-sponsored sporting events include the Georgian Cup of Kaduna Polo Tournament, sponsored for 102 years; the Dala Tennis Hard Court in Kano Club for over 30 years and the Obasanjo Pro-Amateur Golf tournament of Abeokuta Club now in its sixth year.
The bank’s influence in the development of sport in Nigeria is under its First@Sport initiative.
