PHOTOS: Inalegwu wins Junior Open Golf Tourney in Abuja

An 18-year-old, David Inalegwu of Henry Seriake Dickson Golf and Country Club, Bayelsa State, has clinched victory at the 2024 Junior Open Golf Championship in Abuja.

The championship, organised by the IBB Lady Golf Section led by Dame Julie Donli, began on Friday and ended on Sunday.

This year’s championship, the 16th edition of the IBB Junior Golf Open, saw participation from more than 146 young golfers. Inalegwu emerged as the overall winner, showcasing exceptional skill and determination throughout the tournament.

Inalegwu made notable achievements, leading the Boys’ age 15-18 years category with a total of 223 gross, achieved over three days by shooting 74, 71, and 78 respectively over 54 holes to clinch the championship title.

Inalegwu expressed his excitement about the win, saying he was thrilled to emerge victorious.

Also during the competition, David James grossed 231 to win the Boys 15-18 age category at the expense of Nandom Danjuma of Plateau Golf Academy and Robert Festus.

Destiny Oyero of Ikeja Golf Club carded 242 to claim the Boys 11-14 years age category, beating Unah Ogoh of Otukpo Golf Academy (245) and Matthew Ayi (242).

Deborah Dung of Plateau Golf Academy grossed 277 to win the Girls 15-18 years old category, while Blessing Adah and Beatrice Onoja ensured that Otukpo Golf Academy swept the second and third prizes in the category.

In the Girls 11-14 years category, Josephine Benjamin of IBB International Golf and Country Club emerged as the winner after posting a total gross score of 225.

Omowonuola Olarenwaju (294) and Jennifer Akatu (313) finished as runner-up and second runner-up respectively in the category.

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Wilson Izang (122), Abraham Dung (129), and Chinkinan Walshak (131) ensured that Plateau Golf Academy swept the stakes in the Boys 7-10 years category.

Meanwhile, Damaris Danladi (150), Funmilayo Oyero (160), and Ochanya Omakwu (162) emerged as the winner, runner-up, and second runner-up in the Girls category.

IBB International Golf and Country Club Captain, Ibrahim Babayo, expressed satisfaction with the competition’s outcomes, stressing that the goals set for the 16th edition were successfully met.

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the IBB Golfers, Major General Ibrahim Batamale Haruna (Rtd), said, “We believe these young golfers have the potential to become international players. With golf now part of the Olympics, we hope to nurture them into champions who can bring home medals in the future.”

He also explained the concept of the “court” in golf tournaments, stating, “The court is a system that determines the finalists based on their scores. It helps to make the game more competitive and ensures that only the best players advance.”

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In her remarks, the Lady Captain of the club, Dame Julie Donli, praised the event’s success and the high level of performance demonstrated by the young golfers.

Donli said, “It was a three-day event, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The finalists played today. It was very tough. The winner emerged eventually, playing a total of 223 over three days. He happens to come from Bayelsa State. It was double joy for me, being that I’m also from Bayelsa State. He made a good show of himself. We’re all happy.”

A minute of silence was observed for the two young golfers from Ekiti who lost their lives and others who sustained injuries on their way to Abuja for the tournament.

The contingent from Ekiti for the 16th IBB Junior Open Golf Championship was involved in a ghastly motor accident around Kabba, Kogi State, on Wednesday.