Oba Ewuare to Perform Ceremonial Tee-off at Grand Finale of 9th Oba of Benin Golf Tourney

It will be royalty on the fairways as His Royal Majesty, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, CFR, performs the ceremonial tee-off at the grand finale of the 9th Oba of Benin Golf Tournament today at the Benin Club Golf Section (BCGS), GRA, Benin City. The ceremonial tee-off holding in the presence of Palace Chiefs, BCGS Management and members, top government functionaries and captains of industry, will officially close a week-long celebration of golf and royalty held in honour of the 10th Coronation Anniversary of the revered monarch. Also featuring today are ladies hcp 1-28, men’s hcp 1-14, and special guests from sponsors, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc and Seplat Energy Plc, before the prize presentation and royal dinner at 6pm. The ancient city has been agog as the serene greens of BCGS turned into a battleground for five days. The tournament teed-off on Tuesday with a thrilling Caddies showdown, setting the tone for what became a war on the fairways. Forty six professional golfers, the largest field in the history of the tournament, invaded Benin City for the whopping N15 million prize purse. They displayed class and grit in a fierce 36-hole battle on Wednesday and Thursday. It was no friendship on the tee, as birdies and bogeys flew under the Benin sun on the glassy, championship conditioned greens of BCGS. But at the end, Mike Ubi (Python) emerged winner while Kanayor Chukwu (BCGS) placed second just as four others tie on third position. Top pros like Francis Epe (Ikoyi Club 1938), Kingsley Okparaku (IBB Abuja), Idris Garba (IBB), Solomon Ideriah (Port Harcourt), and Benin-based stars Tony Udumoh, Donatus Isuku, Chukwudi Okoro, and Monday Ighodaro played. In the ladies professional category, stars like Bola Mustapha (Ikoyi), Londi Paul (TYB), Rachael Danjuma (IBB), Favour Efenedo (Ikoyi), and BCGS’s own Valentine Ogieva, also thrilled the crowd. According to the Chief Organiser, Prince Aghatise Erediauwa, this year’s edition was deliberately made bigger and more rewarding to match the significance of the 10th Coronation Anniversary. “This is not just a golf tournament, it is a celebration of culture, class and championship.” The Captain of BCGS, Engr. Stephen Ebaretonbofa said the week was a show of inclusivity, starting with the caddies, the heartbeat of the game, before the big guns took centre stage. He confirmed that Friday was dedicated to veterans, super veterans, men’s hcp 15-28 and ladies hcp 29-36, with arrival of special guests and a cocktail party. “Today’s grand finale is featuring ladies hcp 1-28, Men’s hcp 1-14, and special guests from sponsors, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc and Seplat Energy Plc, before the prize presentation and royal dinner at 6pm. “With over 200 golfers drawn from Ikoyi, Ikeja, IBB Abuja, Port Harcourt, Asaba, Sapele, Ogunu, Owerri, Ibadan and Abeokuta, the 9th Oba of Benin Golf Tournament has once again cemented BCGS as the home of royal golf in Nigeria,” he concluded.