The 8th Awa Ibraheem Junior Open Championship finally came to an end on Saturday October 23, 2021 amid pomp and pageantry at the Ikeja Golf Club in Lagos.
The annual championship which teed off on Friday October 22, had over 200 preteen and teenage participants from across the country who competed for honours as the winners were rewarded with scholarships.
The scholarship was for the first three winners of first, second and third positions; N200, 000; N150, 000 and N100, 000 respectively.
Four categories of age 6-8; 9-10; 11-13 and 14-17 boys and girls were competed for on the course for two days of swinging and putting which produced the bests of the children, who showed class, talents and skills while the event lasted.
Godwin Okoko of David Mark Golf Academy, Otukpo at the end of the pulsating competition emerged the overall winner and of course, it was a brace having won the championship in 2019, just as it was cancelled in 2020 following the Covid-19 pandemic.
The back-to-back feat tickled the sponsor of the championship, Alhaji (Dr.) Awa Ibraheem to announce a four-year scholarship at the university for Okoko whenever he gets admitted.
To emerge champion of the Championship, Okoko shot 74, 76, 75 (225) over 36 holes to beat his closest rivals Osiregbemeh Egbakhumeh of Ikeja Golf Club who shot 79, 84, 69 (232) for the second position and Mark Friday of Oyo State, 75, 80, 81 (236) for the third position.
Egbakhumeh interestingly had the best shot of the tournament, 69, on the last day.
Okoko who was overwhelmed with the scholarship award commended the sponsor for the gesture, “I’m very happy for scholarship award and pray God to give the sponsor, Alhaji Awa Ibraheem, long life and continue with the tournament.”
For the girls category 14-17 however, Janet Ali, from Benue State was winner on 86, 88, 84 (258).
Age 11-13: went to Nandom Samuel of Plateau State for the boys, while Christy Obomanu-Assisi of Rivers State won the girls category.
Destiny Oyero of Ikeja Golf Club clinched the age 9-10 category; he also won medals representing Lagos State at the just concluded National Youth Games in Ilorin and it was also enough reason for the sponsor to gladly award him scholarship through his primary and secondary education.
At the girls category, Precious John of Benue State was winners making David Mark Golf Academy, Otukpo the biggest winners of the Championship over time.
However at the age 6-8 category: Oladara Sokefun of Lagos State won the boys category, while Fumilayo Oyero, younger sister of Destiny Oyero steal the show; she was arguably the face of the event with her swagger that won the hearts of participants and dignitaries
Incidentally, the sponsor, Awa Ibraheem, concluded his gesture as he upped the scholarship for double winners by 50%, just as he urged the kids to keep playing golf for its numerous benefits.
“Playing golf helps to improve ones health in all ramifications; it helps mentally and physically and anybody can play golf; it’s not only for the rich. I will keep doing my best to sustain the Championship for the benefit of everyone,” citing the Diana Osmond as one of the numerous beneficiaries through the university education for four years.
The occasion was also used to mark the birthday anniversary of the sponsor, Alhaji Awa Ibraheem, which usually comes at October 19.
Present at the occasion include Representatives of the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) Zulu Omo-Ikiroda; Secretary, Umar Lambu; the Captain Ikeja Golf Club among others.
