Nigeria’s current Number One golf player, Francis Epe, shot a brilliant 12 under par, 60 to set the course record at the opening tournament of the Acropolis Gardens and Residence Golf Course in Okija, Anambra State over the weekend.
The event which was graced by invited top professionals and amateurs across the country, had 86 golfers vying for honours at the 42-hectare, nine-hole facility.
According to Epe, “The course is well laid out and I played to my strength. I just told myself that, I was going to avoid all the sand traps and water hazards. And I also chipped in twice in the round. In all, I had 12 birdies and six pars. It was a bogey-free round,” gushed Epe expansively after going into history as inaugural winner on the course.
Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, the promoter of the Acropolis Gardens and Residence Golf Course facility said that the goal for having the facility was to re-introduce Okija, his community, to the world.
“Okija has many interpretations in people’s mind. We want people to rethink what this place is; when it is mentioned. The Acropolis Golf Course is one of our many planned projects to make this happen,” he told journalists at the official tee-off to commission the facility last Friday.
Already, the Professional Golfers’ Association of Nigeria (PGAN), represented by its Director, Tony Philmoore, has commended the golf resort and said it qualifies for a Grade A facility, given the level of excellence that was put in at every level of its construction.
“I dare say that this facility is one of the best in the country. As the director of the PGA in Nigeria, I am very proud that the promoters of this project did not hold anything back in making sure they have a world-class infrastructure here. I and the present PGA executives will be working with this team to make sure they realise their goal,” Philmoore assured the promoter of the facility.
Epe’s record of 12 under par was four shots ahead of Python Golf Club’s Gift Willy, who claimed the runner-up prize in the professional category with eight under par 64, while Benin Golf Club’s Chukwudi Okoro placed third; shooting 67.
Azudialu-Obiejesi said his fulfillment was seeing the class of people that showed up for the inaugural event, and how far some of them have had to travel to feature at the event.
“Acropolis Gardens and Residence Golf Course is now open and we have a befitting world-class 155-room capacity at the Acropolis Gardens and Residence Golf Course to cater for golfers accommodation while they are here. “We are planning to hold series of events, at least, once every quarter that would involve the professionals going forward.”
Thirty-six handicapper, Nkechi Nwaokolo with a 112 gross score won the lady’s category with her net of 76 beating Rita Izojie with two strokes at 78 net, while Nkechi Musa-Tolani picked the third prize returning a 79 net score in 18 holes.
