It was a day of joy for the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah, as Golfers across Nigeria celebrated him with a Golf Tournament in honour of his 84th Birthday.
The tournament which was organised by members of Ibom Golf & Country Club at the prestigious Ibom Icon Hotel & Golf Resort located at Nwaniba in Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, took place yesterday, Saturday, 19th November, 2022.
According to the draw of the tournament published by the Resident Golf Professional, Ibom Golf & Country Club, Mr. Emmanuel Ochayi, over 120 Golfers from across Nigeria participated in the tournament.
The game started with a ceremonial Tee-off by the Celebrant at Hole 1 Tee-box of the golf course by 8:15 a.m. and was witnessed by several dignitaries and golfers including the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Umana and the Captain of Ibom Golf & Country Club, Rt. Hon. Usenobong Akpabio who had earlier performed their respective ceremonial Tee-off on the same Tee-box.
The golf tournament which had participants from the Nigerian golfing community included some former State Governors, serving and past Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, State House of Assembly Members, Commissioners and other government functionaries, traditional rulers, also had captains of industries amongst the golfers competing for several prizes across several categories.
The result released by the Resident Golf Professional of Ibom Golf & Country Club, Mr. Emmanuel Ochayi, at the end of the competition showed that Mr. Stephen Eberetonbofa playing off handicap 10, posted the Overall Best Net Score of 68 to emerge the Champion of the tournament.
Mr. Ochayi stated that in the Men Category 1; Mr. Udeme Esset playing handicap 6, posted the Best Net Score of 76, while Mr. Gabriel Akpan playing handicap 12 with the Net Score of 77 was the 1st runner up and Mr. Uko Orok playing handicap 12 posted the Net Score of 78 to emerged 2nd runner up (winning on count back).
In Men Category 2; Mr. Samuel Ekpenyong playing handicap 18 posted the Best Net Score of 72; while Mr. Emmanuel Ekeng playing 25 posted the Net Score of 73 was the 1st runner up (winning on count back); and Mr. Godwin Udofia playing handicap 26 posted the Net Score of 73 to emerge the 2nd runner up.
In Ladies Category; Unyime Umoh playing handicap 36 posted the Best Net Score of 72; while Mandu Williams playing handicap 28 posted the Net Score of 86 to emerge 1st runner up and Iquo Ben playing handicap 36 posted the Net Score of 87 was the 2nd runner up.
In Seniors Category; Barr. James Essien playing handicap 20 posted the Best Net Score of 80; Mr. Alek Musa playing handicap 13 posted the Net Score of 81 to emerge the 1st runner up (winning on count back); while Mr. Oyo Ita playing handicap 11 posted the Net Score of 81 was the 2nd runner up.
The Longest Drive (Men) was won by Mr. Samuel Kalio; the Longest Drive (Ladies) was won by Ekemini Umoh and the Longest Drive (Seniors) was won by Elder Eno Effiong.
The Nearest to the Pin was won by Mr. Emmanuel Ekeng.
High points of the epochal event were the presentation of prizes to winners in the varous categories at the Club house of the Ibom Golf & Country Club and a Birthday party/entertainment at the Club house.
Delivering his thank you message, Obong Victor Attah who was filled with joy, appreciated members of Ibom Golf & Country Club for finding it worthy to be hosting the event which is an annual event to celebrate his birthday. He thanked his friends and well wishers and members of the Nigerian golfing community for the successful tournament.
It would be recalled that the administration of Obong Victor Attah established the Ibom Golf Course in 2006 alongside with the prestigious Le-Meridien Hotel & Golf Resort (now Ibom Icon Hotel & Golf Resort).
The 2022 event was coordinated and supervised by a former Commissioner for Works in Akwa Ibom State, himself a Golfer, Engr. Akan Udi; the Resident Golf Professional of Ibom Golf & Country Club, Mr. Emmanuel Ochayi; Mr. Isuamfon Archibong, the Public Relations Officer of Ibom Golf & Country Club; Mr. Udeme Esset and other members of the IGCC.
Signed
Otuekong Franklyn Isong
Media and Publicity Committee
Victor Attah 84th Birthday Tournament
Sunday, 20th November, 2022.