Olapade finally comes good in Oturkpo

MICCom Golf Club assistant professional, Sunday Olapade, at the weekend won his first professional title when he picked the Francis Olo Pro-Am Championship at the Oturkpo Golf and Country Club in Benue State.

 With a 68, four under par at the opening round of the four-day event, Olapade eventually tied with Ghana’s Emos Korblah after 72 holes of play with 288, level par to force the game, into playoff. He won the play-off to claim his first PGA Tour win since turning professional in 2011.

   An elated Olapade told pganigeria.com after his victory, “I thank God for this victory,” but he attributes his success to the type of support he has enjoyed.

 “When you have people, who believe in you, it gives you a lot of courage,” he added.

 Olapade had to supplant Chukwudi Okoro, who was equally seeking a maiden win and had rosen to the top of the leader board at the end of the third round.

 Olapade’s last day carding, 73, one over, was just enough to keep him afloat after Korblah, who was playing from a group behind shot ahead with 70, two under par to force the game to playoff.

   A senior professional at MicCom Golf Club, Liadi Jaiyeola, described Olapade’s victory as the break he needs to challenge the more established stars in the tour.

  “I think this is the moment he has been waiting for. This win, I believe, is a defining moment for his career. He has come close severally and the morale booster he gets from here may launch him into the winning circle further,” Jaiyeola said.

 Third day leader, Okoro’s five over par in the closing round left him in the third place just one shot off the leaders and beating Gift Willy and Ebela Desire who placed joint fourth with two stokes adrift.

  The PGA also announced that the Pa Mark Memorial Tournament earlier scheduled for next week has been put on hold. A new date will be communicated, which will perhaps be in April 2015.