Kojo Barni held his own among a considerably tough field to win big during the Gold Fields Ghana PGA Championship in Damang on Saturday.
The Tarkwa based golfer clinched a check of GHC35,000, an impressive wood crafted trophy and a second blue jacket.
During the contest, Kojo kept his cool from start to finish to defend a title he earned last year.
A 5-under 67 on day one, was enough to place him in a comfortable lead going into the second round, as he stayed two-shots ahead of the field.
On day two, Kojo continued the chase with a promising 69, followed by 71 on day three and a course par of 72 on the final day.
He finished the tournament on a defining 9-under 279; three shots ahead of his closest contender, Emos Korblah.
Emos ended his campaign at 6-under 282 from a pool of 69 on day one, and triples of 71 for the remaining days.
Emos, known as “Land Lord”, was consistent from the onset but couldn’t find the kick to rattle the leaderboard in his favor. He still walked home with a cool GHC25,000.
Meanwhile, Vincent Torgah, West Africa’s number one golfer, entered the championship on the heels of two emphatic victories at the NDDC Pro-Am and the Nigeria Masters.
The avid golfer however didn’t find his rhythm on the open round of the Championship after he carded an uninspiring 75.
He repeated another 75 on day two going into the third round. He nevertheless delivered the best course shot of 65 on day three that almost crashed the leaderboard. He earned GHC2000 for that feat.
The “catch-me-if you can golfer”, however, stumbled on the final day when he posted 73 to complete at 288 for the third position. He bagged GHC13,000.
Ayisah Lucky followed in the fourth spot after recording a total 289 during the championship. Ayisah delivered 71, 72, 73 and 73 to stay in the mix for the fourth place.
Other known golfers from Senegal, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Cote D’Ivoire and Togo battled out during the championship but fell off along the way.
One of the high points during the championship was the arrival of His Majesty Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Damang Golf Course on Saturday.
The Asantehene was joined by a section of dignitaries to play a round of golf. They were; Nana Bi-Kusi Appiah(Paramount Chief of Manso Nkwanta Traditional Area), Nick Holland (CEO Goldfields), Peter Breeze(CEO Asanko Mines)and Mr Alfred Baku (Executive Vice President and Head of West Africa, Goldfields).
Other dignitaries present during the closing ceremony were, Hans de Beer (Chairman of the Organizing Committee), Mr. Mike Aggrey, President of the Ghana Golf Association and Mr. Anthony Mintah, President of the Ghana PGA.
Mr. Mintah expressed immense appreciation to Gold Fields for sponsoring and delivering a truly phenomenal event.
TheGolfer Online
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