Rachael Danjuma of Nigeria emerged champion of the 19th IBB International Golf and Country Club’s Ladies Open Amateur Golf Championship which held over the weekend.
Danjuma, with 8-handicap, had 265 gross over the three-days intensive contest to displace compatriot ande defending champion Amina Wilfred, as well as Ghanaian Jessica Tei, for the title.
The highlight of the three-day event which climaxed on Sunday, saw Danjuma put up a not-too-impressive performance on the final day of the competition, but still went on to clinch the title, following her impressive 83 gross (75 net) and 82 gross (74 net) in the first and second rounds, respectively. She managed to play a disappointing 91 gross on the final day.
She emerged the winner after amassing a total of 256 gross, beating her closest rival Ghanaian Jessica Tei by 11 shots.
Tei finished second with a total of 267 gross, followed by last year winner, Wilfred, who came third with 267 gross on count-back difference.
No fewer than 160 lady golfers from Nigeria (hosts), Uganda, Ghana and Zimbabwe took part in this year’s edition of the annual tournament which teed-off last week Thursday.
Speaking to newsmen after the championship, Danjuma described her victory as a great honour.
“It is a great honour and I am very proud. It was very difficult and challenging but I am glad I finished top of the bunch at the end. I have been working very hard to win this title since last year.
“In October, I won the Ladies Open in Port Harcourt and followed it up by winning the Open in Lagos. So, I had to ensure that I gave a good account of myself here in Abuja and win the championship, in order to improve my ranking.
“I trained very hard to become this year’s champion and I am so pleased and satisfied with what I have achieved so far,” she said.
Meanwhile, Lady Professional Golf Association of Nigeria (LPGAN) has taken up an ambitious task to train young women in professional, as a way to balance the gender inequality in the field.
Declaring the maiden edition of the training open yesterday in Abuja, chairman of the club’s board of trustees, General IBM Haruna (Rtd), commended the coordinator of the programme and the only Nigerian lady professional golfer, Uloma Mbuko, for her resourcefulness and commitment to the development of the sport in Nigeria.