Minna-based Okpe wins Ultimate Golf Challenge

Minna-based Stephen Okpe, at the weekend, shot an opening 72 and closed with 1-under 70 for 142 total over 36 holes to win the second yearly Ultimate Golf Challenge held at the Golf Section of Ikoyi Club 1938.

Okpe’s victory was aided by birdies on hole-5, eighth, 11th and 12th in his closing round. Though bogeys on the seventh and double-bogey on the 10th dented his red doted card, it wasn’t enough to push him down the winner’s chart.

For his effort, Okpe earned the tournament’s top prize of N2 million.

Ghana’s top seed, Vincent Torgah, also gave a good account of himself, coming second in the keenly contested encounter. An opening 71 and a closing 72 gave him the second position, while Christopher Francis took the third position at two-over par 144, just as Port Harcourt-based Willy Gift was fourth at three-over par, a position he shared with tournament favourites and defending champion, Francis Epe.

Epe, who opened his game with three-under 68, the best score of the opening round, threw his lead away courtesy of some wayward drives, missed puts and miscalculated bunker-shots on the back-nine to fall short of the title.

While Epe bemoaned his fate, Okpe relished his victory, saying: “This victory is a great one. I came here to enjoy golf and play my game knowing that I wasn’t even seen as one of the favourties, but here I am today a champion.”

Though the 36-hole tournament was a winner-takes-all affair, there were other consolation prizes and birdies were rewarded as well as longest drives.

Polaris Bank, Jamz Group and Mactay were the tournament sponsors.