Okonofua, Kuma emerge winners at TYB Golf tourney
Isaiah Okonofua and Faeren Kuma have emerged as winners of the Tukur Yusuf Buratai International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja single match play finals in the men and ladies’ category.
The match play trials, which started in 2024, saw the four finalists pass through seven rigorous stages to reach the grand finale.
The match play event was played alongside the TYB New Year kitty.
The men’s single match play was indeed a very keenly contested battle between Okonofua, playing off handicap 10, and AVM Ladan, who played off handicap 18.
The match went all the way to the final hole with Okonofua one up to emerge the winner of the category.
“I started poorly and was already four down at hole 7., but I told myself that I was going to fight back doggedly,” Okonofua said.
“Indeed, the beast in me came out, and I began to play better on the back nine and ended up with the victory at hole 18.
“It was a very tough match play as the opponent I played with is a very fantastic golfer, but I gave him a game and put up a good showing to emerge victorious.”
In the ladies’ single match play category, Kuma, playing off handicap 35 won Sarah Kudi, who played off handicap 25 by two holes up with one to go.
Kuma started on the front foot from the front nine but allowed Kudi back in the game, following some nervous moments at the back nine.
She, however, recovered just at the right time to win comfortably with two holes left.
“I started very well and was leading five up before my nerves got the better part of me and my opponent squared.
“Luckily for me, I was able to regain my confidence at the right time and bounced back two up with one hole to spare.
“It wasn’t an easy feat, but I thank God for giving me the victory,” she said.
Philip Kum and Sam Anyande emerged winners of the TYB men’s double match play category after they defeated the duo of Chile Ushahonba and Stephen Godwin.
Results in other categories saw Longdi Paul emerge as best gross ladies after she returned a gross score of 95.
Becky Danladi won the best net prize after she played off handicap 24 and returned 95 gross and 71 net.
The longest drive men’s prize went to Lyon Iyke, and the longest drive ladies’ prize was won by Yemi Sola, while Timothy Mike took home the nearest to the pin men’s prize.
