MTN WGC: Okey Igweh wins northern regional qualifiers

An Abuja based hotelier, Chief Okey Igweh has emerged the winner of the northern regional qualifiers of the MTN World Golfers Championship held at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja on Saturday. Igweh played off handicap 5 shot 74 net to qualify for the national final scheduled for Le Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo from September 12-14, 2014.

Igweh returned the best net score of the day and will be joined by Austin Chigbo who shot 82 net as the two automatic qualifiers for the final from handicap flight 0-5 category.

The golfer, who represented Nigeria at the MTN WGC final in Hua-Hin, Thailand in 2010, automatically won himself high value gifts courtesy of MTN Nigeria for his feat in the competition. An elated Igweh, (handicap 0-5) poured encomiums on MTN for sponsoring the tournament and stated that the company has continued to stay ahead of the pack with innovations and service delivery.

“The MTN WGC is one of the best tournaments in Nigeria being played by discerning clubs. I was in Thailand in 2010 and I must admit that the benefits to network and opportunity to compete with other international golfers can not be matched by other tournaments” Igweh said.

Acting General Manager, Northern Operations MTN, Ibrahim Bashir Mohammed, who spoke at the prize presentation ceremony, thanked the players for their support for the MTN brand and reiterated the company’s resolve to meet them at their passion points. He stated that the customer is the reason the company is in business, therefore, it will continue to identify with the exclusive lifestyles of golfers and other factors that set them apart from the crowd.

“Golfers are held in high esteem by the company and it is our joy that this tournament has provided the platform for players to improve on their playing abilities,” he stated.

A strong field of 150 golfers from several northern based golf clubs, among which were Kaduna, Kano, Ilorin, Minna, Jaji, Lafia and the two Jos clubs (Rayfield and Lamengo) participated in the 18-hole regional qualifier.

After a keen contest in sublimely wonderful conditions, golfers from the IBB Golf Club benefitted from local knowledge by grabbing 13 of the available 15 slots in all five handicap flight categories.

Julius Fadairo secured his maiden qualification for the national final following his emergence as the handicap 6-10 flight category winner. He shot the net score of 73 ahead of Emmanuel Owoicho from Kaduna Golf Club and Segun Adebayo, who shot 77 net a piece to make the cut.

In the handicap 11-15,   Ade Young posted 75 net to win, Femi Oni from Kaduna Golf Club was two shots off the lead while Alex Shaiyen placed third with 78 net.

Jide Adebulehin, S. Odinume and Alex Aipoh took the three qualifying spots in the handicap flight 16-20 category. Adebulehin shot 80 net to edge Odinume by one shot. Aipoh was in touch with the leaders with 83.

The three qualifying slots in the flight handicap 21-26 category were grabbed by V.O Chukwujekwu 84 (CB), P. Adedipe and R.O.M Oladapo who was two shots outside the lead with 86 net.

Chairman, Global Golf Limited, Ayinde Sanni said the northern regional qualifier has set the tone for what to expect in the final in Uyo. ” About 150 players featured at the qualifiers and what that says is that people will always associate with quality and good organisation. We are now set for the final in Uyo where the five national flag bearers that will represent Nigeria will emerge after the 36-hole final,” Sanni said.

The competition has now produced about 45 players from the Western, Eastern and the Northern regional qualifiers.The organisers will decide on how to give wild cards to some players based on their track records across the nation to make up the required number of players for the finals. Winners of each of the five categories will be campaigning for Nigeria in the global event slated for South Africa later in the year.