Acropolis Golf Course holds inaugural tourney in Okija, Anambra

Posted : 09 April 2024

The Acropolis Golf Course in Okija, Anambra, held its inaugural tournament with no fewer than 82 professional and amateur golfers from across Nigeria participating.

Francis Epe, Nigeria’s reigning number one golfer from Ikoyi Country Club, won the tournament with 12 under par, 60, setting the course record at the inaugural event.

Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, the promoter of the Acropolis Gardens and Residence Golf Course facility, who teed off the game on Saturday, said that the goal was to reintroduce Okija, his community, to the world.

Azudialu-Obiejesi said Okija meant different things to people, but the idea of building the golf course was to change the narrative and create a positive impression whenever the community was mentioned.

He felt fulfilled seeing the class of people who showed up for the inaugural event and how far some of them had traveled to feature in the event.

They were planning to hold a series of events at least once a quarter involving the professionals.

"The Acropolis Gardens and Residence Golf Course is now open, and we have a world-class 155-room capacity at the Acropolis Gardens and Residence Golf Course to cater to their accommodation while they are here.

"The Acropolis Golf Course is one of our many planned projects to make this happen."

The Acropolis Golf Course is the first privately owned nine-hole course sitting on a 42-hectare plot with undulating topography in the heart of Okija in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra.

Speaking, Epe said it was his first visit to Okija, and he was impressed with the Acropolis Golf Course, which he described as well laid out, and he had to play with his full strength.

"I just told myself that I was going to avoid all the sand traps and water hazards, and I also chipped in twice in the round. In all, I had 12 birdies and six pars. It was a bogey-free round," he said.

The Professional Golfers’ Association of Nigeria, through its director, Tony Philmoore, commended the facility and said it qualified as a grade A facility given the level of finesse that was put in at every level of the construction.

"I dare say that this facility is one of the best in the country, as the director of the PGA in Nigeria.

"I am very proud that the promoters of this project did not hold anything back in making sure they gave a world-class infrastructure.

"I and the present PGA executives will be working with this team to make sure they realize their goal," he said.

Gift Willy of Python Golf Club was the runner-up with eight under par 64, while Benin Golf Club’s Chukwudi Okoro placed third, shooting 67.

Nkechi Nwaokolo, a 36 handicapper, won the ladies' category with a 112 gross score and her net of 76, beating Rita Izojie by two strokes at 78 net for second place.

Nkechi Musa-Tolani picked the third prize, returning a 79 net score in 18 holes.

Acropolis Golf Course holds inaugural tourney in Okija, Anambra

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics