Adenekan wins 63rd First Bank Lagos Open

Hameed Adenekan, at the weekend, beat the field to win the 63rd yearly FirstBank Lagos Amateur Open Golf Championship, which was held at the Golf Section of Ikoyi Club 1938.

Adenekan grossed a score of 225 to beat his closest rival, Akeem Lawal by two shots.
The victor’s journey to fame started with an opening level par 71, a second-day score of 72, and a closing 82 to emerge winner.

The highly elated Adenekan in his victory speech thanked FirstBank of Nigeria Limited for the opportunity to showcase his talent, saying the victory has now put him in good stead for a shot at his lifelong dream of being a professional golfer.

“I am very happy. I also want to thank FirstBank for this tournament. This is a tournament every amateur wants to take part in because it helps our dreams of turning professional. For me, the next thing is to try and qualify for the elite professional cadre,” he said.

Second-placed Lawal opened his 54-hole account with an opening 75; 4-over the course par, a second-day score 76, and a closing 76, losing by two shots to the winner.

Last year’s runners-up, Samuel Odey Emmanuel, also of Ikoyi Club, failed in his charge for the coveted trophy, with a closing 79, losing to the second-placed Akeem Lawal on countback.

In the professional category, Ajayi Tajudeen triumphed over Andrew Oche Odoh after an exhilarating three-hole playoff.

Elated by the turnout at the week-long competition, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, Olusegun Alebiosu, pledged his firm’s continuous sponsorship of the tournament, saying, “FirstBank won’t relent in its resolve to continue to impact the society through sports.”