27 December 2008
The annual Calabar Christmas carnival in Cross Rivers State took a major leap this year with the introduction of an annual golf tournament tagged the Mary Slessor Charity Golf tournament.
Previous editions of the carnival under ex-governor Donald Duke (brain behind the carnival) did not feature golf, but this year, the first lady of the state Her Excellency Obioma Liyel Imoke decided to introduce a charity golf tournament in her bid to attract high net individuals who play the game to Calabar and use the opportunity to raise funds for her pet project and the turn out was amazing.
The tournament put together by an NGO initiated by the first lady, known as Partnership Opportunities for Women Empowerment Realization (POWER) sought to raise N750, 000,000 (Seven Hundred and Fifty Million naira) to run a home called the Refuge which takes care of abandoned babies and pregnant young girls, and carry out objectives of the NGO.
Golfers came from far and wide to be part of the inaugural event and doled out cash in the process. The presence of top amateur players who took part in the invitational event and over 25 professional golfers lit up the 18 holes golf club, which was hosting its first major tournament since the coming into office of the present administration.
The tourney teed off on Wednesday 17th December 2008 with the amateur golfers taking the center stage.By Thursday, Governor Liyel Imoke was at hand to perform the official tee off ceremony after over 25 professional golfers from the nooks and crannies of the country had commenced battle for the star prize.
For two days, Ali Abdullahi and the rest of the field tried to subdue the course and after 36 holes, Zaria based professional golfer Abdullahi emerged winner of the professional event. Abdullahi shot 68, 4 under par and sealed it up with a 69 on day two to take his tally to 138 over two days. Port Harcourt based golfer Mike Ubi and Francis Ugbong finished joint second behind Ali with 140. Ubi shot 68 on day one to tie with Ali, while Ugbong carded 71.
While Ubi dropped two strokes on day two, Ugbong shot a 69 to bring his total to 140 but it was not good enough to upstage Ali.
Ali who returned from Holland where he is a member of the EPD Tour was elated with his victory.
"I am excited and very happy with the victory. Once again, the victory more than anything is an indication that my stay in Europe was not a waste of time. It's obvious there are changes in my game and the changes are for good", Ali said.
In the category one event, Eket based amateur golfer Assam V smiled home with the start prize carding 293 over four days. Joshua I shot 294 to finish in the second position. Lady Captain of Calabar Golf Club Adindu A won the ladies event with score of 153 over two days.
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