No fewer than 34 countries, including Nigeria will be aiming for the $150,000 for the men and US$100,000 for ladies top prizes at the 2017 3e Actuaries Equatorial Guinea Golf Open Championship in Mongomo, with the split for the top three.
According to the tournament’s host Olawale Opayinka, this year promises to be even better with a field of 110 players including 101 pros.
Nigeria will be represented at the championship by a seven-man team crack team, including two former champions – Oche Odoh and Gift Willy, as well as teenage sensation Georgia Oboh.
The tournament, which teed off yesterday, is open to both men and ladies
Since its inception in 2013, Nigeria has claimed three of the four titles with Odoh winning it twice while the maiden edition was won by Willy.
However, 16-year-old Oboh, who is one of the nine amateur players in the tournament, will be rubbing shoulders with the array of stars in her first international continental tournament.
Aside Odoh, Willy and Oboh, the four other Nigerians competing at the $250,000 prize money tournament are Uloma Mbuko, who will jostling for honours with Oboh in the ladies event while in the men’s categories, Odoh and Willy will be joined by Haruna Mohammed, Sunday Olopade and the tournament host, Olawale Opayinka who will competing with the Nigeria’s flag.
Oboh said that her recent form showed her level of preparedness for the championship. “Over the past few months, I have practiced and prepared both physically and mentally. My game has steadily improved, I am thrilled to play in Mongomo and I can’t wait. My results are only an indication of my hard work, perseverance and determination to improve my golfing game. Well, I have never been to any other African country apart from Nigeria and I look forward to playing the Presidential Golf Course – tournament site,” Oboh said.
On his part, tournament host, Olawale Opayinka said, “2017 is brewing up to be a magnificent edition. We are thrilled to have arrived at a place where some of the best golfers in the world will be taking part. Africa’s best men and women will be matching up against their counterparts in Equatorial Guinea at the heart of Africa as well as host of top class players from around across the globe.”
