An affirmation has come that the six-year-old Lakowe Lakes Golf Classic will now continue on an annual basis for several years to come, as organisers are celebrating a successful 2018 edition for the competition.
The verdict was provided by director of golf, Campbell Elliot, who hailed the double-pronged tourney, where tour professionals compete among themselves, alongside three amateur players in their respective teams.
In the climax to the competition, Emos Korblah contributed to the success of his team, which consisted of Omoboyede Olusanya; Kola Ashiru-Balogun and David Maji.
Korblah of Achimota Golf Club, Ghana also fought his pro-colleagues to a standstill to emerge the winner of the event with the three under par he shut over 36 holes.
Aminu Mustafar of Ilorin Golf Club, and Nojeem Sofela of MicCom Golf and Country Club, Osun State finished joint second.
Sofela, who missed the diadem by the skin of his teeth, was in top form two years ago, when he helped his team to win the Lakowe Lakes Golf Club Anniversary and Independence Day Pro-Am.
Sunday Odegha, a past winner of the tournament finished in third place in the Pros’ event.
In the better ball Stableford and scoring was lowest two of the group, including that of the professional.
Friday Adache of Ilorin Golf Club, helped his team made up of Ikechukwu Boniface Ozoh, Kim Jong Keun and Olajide Aworanti, got second place.
Yemi Ajibola, Douglas Koebbe, and Rautenbach Francois, playing alongside Bashir Bakare of host club grabbed the third spot after carding 258 nett over 36 holes.
An excited Elliott said afterwards: “The tournament, having evolved very well in the last five years is getting the right marks and comment as it turns six.
“From experience perspectives, the members are of the view that this is the best and from the perspectives of the professional, they find the course to be in the best condition of all they have played so far.
“Going forward, we had to change the name to Lakowe Lakes Golf Classic in our effort to rebrand the event as a long-term tournament.
“We can use it to celebrate our club anniversary, as well Nigeria’s Independence, without necessarily calling it an anniversary tournament.
“We would happily say that we are moving in the right direction. It’s fun’s to tie the country’s independence celebration with the club’s anniversary, which is what this tourney does.”