By Victor Okoye
David Gabriel has emerged winner of the second edition of the West Africa Masters (The Rowland Adewumi Cup), returning a gross score of 68 at TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament, held on Tuesday, was organised by the West Africa Masters Golf Foundation, custodians of the Rowland Adewumi Cup, and powered by Kabom Golf Developers.
The competition, exclusively for professional golfers, attracted 72 players competing for a total prize purse of N13 million.
The second edition followed the inaugural tournament held at IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, in 2024.
The event also featured the unveiling of the blue jacket, which has become the symbol of the West Africa Masters Championship and is worn by the winner of the Rowland Adewumi Cup.
Gabriel smiled home with the first prize of N2.5 million after overcoming a strong field of professional golfers drawn from Abuja and other parts of Nigeria.
He expressed delight at winning the competition, describing the victory as special because of the quality of players who participated.
“I am very happy to win this great event, especially with so many accomplished professionals competing. It is a privilege to emerge champion among such talented golfers,” he said.
Gabriel said the tournament held special significance for him because he participated in the inaugural edition but did not perform as expected.
He commended the organisers for sustaining the competition, adding that events of this nature provided professionals with opportunities to compete, improve their skills and earn income.
“I wanted to finish among the winners, but I am grateful to have emerged champion. I thank everyone who contributed to making this tournament successful,” he said.
Emmanuel Odoh, younger brother of Oche Odoh, a former number one-ranked golfer in Nigeria, finished second with a gross score of 69, while Azu Ijeoma also returned 69 to complete the top three positions.
In the ladies’ category, Tina Micah emerged winner with a gross score of 76, while Stephanie Dafor finished second with 77.
Micah expressed happiness over her victory, describing it as an encouraging achievement that would motivate her to continue improving her game.
She said competitions of this nature were important because they provided golfers with opportunities to test their abilities, gain experience and improve their performances.
Akabom Enebong, Chairman of the FCT Golf Association and organiser of the tournament, said the competition was designed to promote professional golf and create more opportunities for players.
Enebong said the participation of 72 golfers demonstrated growing interest in the tournament and represented a significant step towards establishing a strong professional golf competition in Nigeria.
“We are building our own version of the professional golf events organised in Europe and other parts of the world. We are happy that the second edition has been successful,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to the military authorities for providing facilities for the tournament and commended the sponsors for supporting the competition.
Enebong said the initial prize purse of N12 million was increased to N13 million following additional support from Dame Julie Donli on the tournament day.
He explained that Donli’s contribution was aimed at supporting professional female golfers who participated in the competition.
Enebong said investment in sports, particularly at the grassroots, could generate employment, reduce unemployment and create opportunities for young people.
“Sports is a billion-dollar business globally. We must encourage more Nigerians to invest in it because it offers opportunities for employment, income generation and national development,” he said.
He added that golf could promote unity by bringing together people from different backgrounds to compete and interact in a friendly atmosphere.
Enebong also urged the media to sustain its support for golf by promoting tournaments and highlighting players’ achievements.
He said plans were underway to expand the competition next year by attracting more international participants and incorporating the tournament into the professional golf calendar.
Enebong said sports could also serve as an effective tool for addressing insecurity and youth restiveness by engaging young people in productive activities.
“Sports keeps youths busy, curbs insecurity and helps rechannel their excess energy into productive ventures while fostering discipline, responsibility and respect for others,” he said.
He commended the organising subcommittee, led by Omo Alokwe, and Navy Commodore Sola Adebayo for their commitment and effective coordination of the tournament.
Enebong also acknowledged the Professional Golfers Association of Nigeria (PGAN) for its cooperation, saying collaboration among stakeholders was essential to the growth of professional golf.
He expressed profound appreciation to Otunba Rowland Adewumi for consistently sponsoring and promoting grassroots golf development, describing him as one of the pillars of sports development in West Africa.
Enebong said Adewumi’s sustained investment in golf had continued to create opportunities for emerging talents and strengthen the foundation of the sport in Nigeria and the wider West African region.
He thanked Adewumi for his unwavering commitment to grassroots golf development and urged other well-meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to emulate his example by investing in sports.
Among the dignitaries at the ceremonial tee-off were Maj.-Gen. Samson Jiya, Chief of Defence Accounts and Budget at Defence Headquarters, represented by XL Dangaji, and Nancy Nathan, the FCT Head of Service.
Others included Dame Julie Donli, former Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and immediate past Lady Captain of IBB International Golf and Country Club, as well as Otunba Rowland Adewumi, sponsor of the tournament. (NAN)