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By Victor Okoye
Evelyn Oyome has secured an impressive third consecutive win at the IBB Ladies Amateur Golf Open 2025 after overcoming difficult opposition to defend her title.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament, which was its 26th edition, teed off on Feb. 13 and ended on Feb. 16.
No fewer than 450 golfers from five African countries participated in the week-long tournament, held at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.
Oyome, a seasoned amateur golfer from Ikoyi Club, beat off intense pressure from 18 year-old Grace Agbo and Diana Osmond on the final day to make it three wins in a row, having won it in 2023 and 2024.
Oyome, who is also the President of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), grossed a total score of 248 after posting 82, 79, and 87 gross over three days to retain the title.
An elated Oyome told NAN that hard work and the support of her caddie ensured her victory.
“Winning this tournament again, the 26th edition is just so awesome, and I congratulate myself as well as my country, Nigeria.
“My caddie was one of the best I had today. He kept forging me on to go ahead, and anytime I missed my put, he encouraged me, and that gave me the courage to forge on.
“Playing with the youngsters was actually very interesting, and I can tell you that those are the players I am going to hand over the baton to in the nearest future,” she said.
She revealed that her secret was her short game, adding that she usually does not hit long but ensures that she does her one, two on the green.
She admitted that even though the final day was very difficult and challenging because of the hot weather, she psyched and told herself that she wasn’t playing against any other person but the field.
“Day one was a little bit not bad and not a good feeling for me. I was just in the middle. I had double bogeys on some holes, and I managed to play 82 gross.
“But day two was actually the day that brought me back to this tournament. I played 79 gross; 41 front nine, and 38 back nine.
“Everything went well. My putting was perfect, and my short game was good.But, day 3 wasn’t too good for me, probably due to excessive heat from the sun, but I still found myself winning,” she said.
Nigeria’s Agbo finished as runner up in the category for handicap 0 to 18 with a total gross score of 252, after posting 84, 85, and 83 gross over three days to beat Osmond on countback
While, fellow compatriot Osmond settled for the second runner-up position with a total gross score of 252 after posting 84, 84, 84.
The winner smiled home with a return ticket to London courtesy of Arik Air, while the runner up won a return ticket to Uyo, including an all-expense paid weekend at the Ibom Golf Resort, courtesy of deestravels.
A total prize money of $5,000 was up for grabs in the Ladies Professional category with Nigeria’s Rachael Danjuma emerging winner as she smiled home with a $1,300 cash prize
Eva Magala of Uganda finished as runner-up to settle for a $ 900 cash prize, while Nigeria’s Uloma Ogbuokiri settled for the second runner-up prize of $700.
In the Ladies Special Category for handicap 29 to 54, J. Umolu playing off handicap 344 returned a gross score of 104 and 70 nett to emerge winner of the category.
J. Kpamor won the veteran Ladies category after she played off handicap 24 with a total gross 135 (69 + 66) over two days.
G. Omisore was the winner of the Super Veteran category, after she played off handicap 43 and garnered 38 stable ford points.
An excited lady captain, Julie Donli, described the event as memorable and a success, noting that it was the biggest Ladies Open ever in the history of the club.
Donli noted that players came from far and wide to enjoy three days of good golfing experience.
“We had over 450 golfers that participated in this event. We also had over 50 clubs from the various parts of Nigeria, with five countries.
“This is the biggest ever Ladies Open, not just in Nigeria, and I am very happy about it.
“I believe that the participants were happy with the course as the IBB International Golf course meets international standards.
“They are very few of them, and we are one of the best in the world. So, it’s every golfers dream to play here, and of course, it has an excellent hospitality that comes with it,” she said.
She attributed the success of the event to good and early planning.
“Good planning is very important. We actually started planning this like over six months back.
“Six months back, we had everything ready. When I say everything, I mean everything was ready. All we had to do was check. We kept checking and had our plan B just in case plan A doesn’t work.
“So, I think early planning, commitment, hard work by my team members and I was responsible for this,” she said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Dorcas Jonah and Muhyideen Jimoh
