Eghonghon Akpomon-Daniels has reason to celebrate after becoming the champion of the 25th edition of the IBB Ladies Close Golf tournament held in Abuja. This momentous tournament, marking its Silver Jubilee, commenced with a press briefing and ceremonial tee-off on Wednesday and concluded with a prize and award ceremony on Friday night. Attracting a competitive field, the event saw participation from over 200 golfers who took on the challenging 18 holes over a two-day period at the IBB International Golf and Country Club.
With a stellar performance, Akpomon-Daniels achieved an impressive aggregate score of 132 net, finishing the tournament with rounds of 67 and 65 on each of the two days of play. Her ability to maintain focus under pressure was evident as she expressed both excitement and humility at her unexpected victory. As a relatively new golfer with less than two years of experience, her win in this prestigious tournament felt particularly significant to her, showcasing both her talent and the rapid progression she has made in the sport.
Reflecting on her journey in the tournament, Akpomon-Daniels shared her emotional experience, stating that she initially approached the competition without the expectation of winning. However, strong performance on the first day placed her at the top of the leaderboard, which heightened her anticipation and pressure to maintain her form. Nevertheless, her commitment to staying calm and focused helped her exceed her own expectations in the subsequent round, leading to her victory.
For Akpomon-Daniels, winning the 25th IBB Ladies Close tournament on the 25th of October has a personal resonance, making her triumph feel even more special. She acknowledged the legacy of past winners, many of whom had dedicated years to golf, and felt honored to be among them. Her humility shone through as she expressed gratitude for her success and recognized the honor of holding a trophy that has been earned by some of the sport’s best players.
In the ladies’ divisions, standout performances were also noted from other competitors. Joy Ikwue finished as the runner-up with a total score of 138 net, while Folashade Olateju secured the first runner-up position with a net score of 140. These performances highlight the competitive spirit of the tournament, underscoring the depth of talent present among the participants across various divisions.
Additional accolades were given for outstanding individual performances during the tournament. Grace Ihonvbere, competing off a handicap of 13, secured the best gross prize for day one with a score of 84 gross. Meanwhile, Grace Agbo performed remarkably on day two, winning the best gross prize with a score of 76 gross while playing off a handicap of 3. These achievements contributed to the overall excitement and excellence displayed throughout the tournament, ensuring that the 25th edition of the IBB Ladies Close Golf tournament will be remembered both for its competitive nature and the triumph of a talented new golfer.
