Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-04-02 02:03:41
Nigeria’s former number one golfer, Sunday Olapade, showcased his talent and skill at the Lakowe Lakes Golf Resort, where he emerged victorious in the Second Custodian Classic, a prestigious event that attracted some of West Africa’s best players. Olapade, who is a resident golfer at the Ikoyi Club, secured his first win on the Professional Golf Developmental Tour by shooting 73, 68, 73 (214), finishing two under par and walking away with the N3 million-star prize at the 54-hole competition.
In his post-victory statement, Olapade credited his success to hard work and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to come out on top in such a competitive field. The foreign players’ charge for the title was led by Ghana’s Augustine Manasseh, who finished at 222 (+6) after the 54 holes, securing a joint fourth-place finish alongside George Inalegwu from Oturkpo. Kamalu Bako, Nigeria’s former number one, started strong with a 68, four under par on the opening day but ultimately finished in second place, four strokes behind Olapade.
Francis Epe, the current PGD Tour leader, claimed the third spot with a 224, four over par finish. The event garnered praise from the Group Managing Director of Custodian Investment, Wole Oshin, who emphasized the importance of supporting the talent within Nigeria’s professional golf scene. Oshin highlighted the increased prize money for this year’s event, which was raised to N20 million from N10 million at the first edition of the Custodian Classic in Ikoyi Club.
The decision to boost the purse was influenced by the high demand from foreign players wanting to participate in the event, as well as feedback and insights gathered from the previous edition. Femi Olagbenro, the PGD Tour’s Commissioner, commented on the Tour’s growing momentum and the efforts being made to enhance the overall experience for all involved parties. Olagbenro mentioned ongoing improvements to the venue and the recruitment of new sponsors to ensure that everyone receives value for their investments.
The Custodian Classic serves as a platform to showcase and support the talent within Nigeria’s professional golf industry, providing players with opportunities to compete against top regional competitors while attracting international interest. The success of players like Sunday Olapade not only demonstrates the quality of talent present in Nigeria but also highlights the potential for growth and development within the country’s golfing community. With continued support from sponsors, organizers, and fans, the PGD Tour is poised to flourish and produce more exciting moments on the golfing stage.
