By DO SALISU
The 2024 edition of the NLNG Golf Classic ended in Bonny, Rivers on Saturday with Oluwaseun Adedipe and Lady Kafayat Bamimore clinching the top prize in the men and ladies categories.
The two-day NLNG Golf Classic Invitational sponsored by Nigeria LNG which was the fifth in the series, began on Friday morning with the tee-off ceremony at the Bonny Island Golf Club (BIGC).
The MD, Nigeria LNG, Dr Philip Mshelbila, was on ground, along with other dignitaries, including Engr Emmanuel Nnabuife, Production Trains Asset Manager, who represented the GM Production Nnamdi Anowi, Capt. Lawrence Chukwu, Terminal Manager, Dr. Sam Ekong, as well as BIGC Captain, Abubakar Hussaini and Lady Captain, Darlene Cobham, to grace the tee-off ceremony.
The annual golf competition, staged at the prestigious, serene, and lush green course of the BIGC, saw no fewer than 100 golfers competing for honours in the different categories.
At the end of hostilities however, Adedipe and Bamimore clinched the tournament’s top prizes as they emerged winners in the NLNG Men’s Division 1 (for handicap 0 to 18) and Ladies Division 1 Categories (for handicap 0 to 28) respectively.
Adedipe played a total gross score of 77, playing off handicap 10 and returned a net score of 67 to claim the men’s top prize.
His closest challenger, Smart Tobin, who played a total of 82 gross with handicap 12, returned a net score of 70, beat BIGC Captain Abubakar Hussaini on count back to finish as first runner up.
Hussaini played a total gross of 77, with handicap 7, and returned a net score of 70 to settle for the second runner-up position in the category.
An elated Adedipe told newsmen that even though he has won several trophies in BIGC, winning the NLNG trophy for the first time was such a sweet feeling.
“I have been in this game for more than 10 years. Golf is a game I love so much because it gives me joy.
“I am just delighted every time I am on the golf course because playing helps me relieve stress and so many other things.
“I have won several other trophies in BIGC, but this is the first time I am winning this particular trophy, having come close on several occasions.
“I won the men’s best gross prize last year and also winning the men’s longest drive this year, is an icing on the cake and makes the victory even sweeter,” he said.
In the Ladies Division 1 category, Bamimore, playing off handicap 28, posted a gross score of 100 and returned a net score of 72 to claim the ladies’ top prize.
BIGC Lady Captain Darlene Cobham with a total gross of 101, playing off handicap 28 and returning a net score of 73 finished as first runner in the category.
While Nkechi Nwafor, playing off handicap 25, posted a total gross score of 100 and 75 net to settle for the second runner-up prize.
The BIGC best gross prize went to the BIGC Captain Abubakar Hussaini after he posted an impressive 77 gross. Former BIGC Lady Captain, Nnena Ahube, who just returned from Morocco, where she represented Nigeria in the All African Challenge Trophy, won the best gros.
It was a very close contest In the BIGC/NLNG Men’s Division 2 category, as Oludare Oyegbami played a total gross score of 92, after playing off handicap 19 and returning a net score of 73 to beat BIGC Vice Captain, Michael Ukaegbu on count back.
Ukaegbu played a total gross score of 90, with handicap 17, and also returned a net score of 73 to beat Michael Igoni to the first runner-up spot.
While, Igoni settled for the second runner-up prize after he played a total of 94 gross, playing off handicap 21, and returned a net score of 73.
In the BIGC/NLNG Ladies Division 2 category, Bessie Obei, playing off handicap 33, played a total of 107 gross and 74 net to emerge winner.
Zuleihat Adedipe won the first runner-up prize after she played a total gross score of 108 with handicap 33 and returned a net score of 75 to beat Nkechi Leeb on count back.
In the BIGC/NLNG Men’s Division 3 category, Ewache Iyoko, playing off handicap 25, played a total gross score of 97 and 72 net to emerge win.
NLNG’s Corporate Transformation (CT) Lead,Roland Guobadia, won the second runner-up prize after he played a total gross score of 102, playing off handicap 27 and returning a net score of 75.
Mfon Ekpo posted a total gross score of 101, playing off handicap 25, and returned a net score of 76 to settle for the second runner-up prize.
Akpan Emmanuel won the prize for the BIGC/NLNG Guest Men category after he played off handicap 10 and returned a gross score of 79 and 69 net.
Mustapha Hassan, playing off handicap 8, with a gross score of 80 and 72 net finished as first runner up, while Uche Isikaku, played a total gross score of 89 with handicap with handicap 16, returning a net score of 73 to settle for the second runner up spot.
Also, Juliet Friday won the prize for the BIGC/NLNG Guest Ladies category. This was after she played off handicap 15 and posted a gross across of 91 and a net score of 76.
Ochade Ajabor, playing off handicap 25 and returning a gross score of 104 and 79 net finished as first runner up, while Nkoyo Igunbor settled for the second runner up prize after beating Nkoyo Igunbor on count back.
There were also prizes for best veteran men, which was won by Omie Abbey with 99 gross and 79 net (handicap 20).
Abdu Musa with 108 gross and 80 net (handicap 28) won the runners-up position, while Chris Mbanefo (handicap 26), with 107 gross and 81 net, beat Karim on count back to settle for the second runner up position.
In the technical prizes category, the Straightest drive men prize went to Temitayo Ogundoju, while the straightest drive ladies’ prize was won by Gladness Archibong (Lady Capt, calabar golf club)
Oluwaseun Adedipe took home the prize for the longest drive men’s category, while the longest drive ladies’ award went to Juliet Friday.
Dipo Adekoya smiled home with the nearest to the pin men’s prize.
A special plaque; a beautifully designed replica of the BIGC course was presented to Abdu Musa, a former NLNG employee in honour of his sendforth kitty which was organised by the BIGC shortly after his retirement.
In his remarks, Roland Guobadia, NLNG’s Corporate Transformation (CT) Lead noted that the event was a special occasion for the NLNG which brings its stakeholders and partners from all over the country in an atmosphere of friendship and camaraderie to strengthen the bond and industry through the game of golf.
“Golf is a very unique sport as there are many benefits too numerous to mention that we get out of it.
“I believe golf has a special position within the context of the Nigeria LNG and our mission to help build a better Nigeria,” he said.
The BIGC Captain, Abubakar Hussaini, expressed his gratitude to all the participants for honouring their invitation in spite of their busy schedule.
