By Jacob Ajom

Isaiah Okonofua and Faeren Kuma have emerged winners of the Tukur Yusuf Buratai (TYB) International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja single match play finals in the men and ladies’ category.

The match play trials, which started in 2024, saw the four finalists pass through seven rigorous stages to reach the grand finale on Saturday.

The match play event was played alongside the TYB New Year kitty.

The men’s single match play was indeed a very keenly contested battle between Okonofua, playing off handicap 10, and AVM Dalhat Ladan, who played off handicap 18.

The match went all the way to the final hole with Okonofua one up to emerge the winner of the category.

In a post match chat with the media, Okonofua said, “I started poorly and was already four down at hole 7., but I told myself that I was going to fight back doggedly.

“Indeed, the beast in me came out, and I began to play better on the back nine and ended up with the victory at hole 18.

“It was a very tough match play as my opponent is a very fantastic golfer, but I gave him a game and put up a good showing to emerge victorious.”

In the ladies’ category, Kuma, playing off handicap 35 won Sarah Kudi, who played off handicap 25 by two holes up with one to go.

Kuma started on the front foot from the front nine but allowed Kudi back in the game, following some nervous moments at the back nine.

She, however, recovered just at the right time to win comfortably with two holes left.

“I started very well and was leading five up before my nerves got the better of me and my opponent squared.

“Luckily for me, I was able to regain my confidence at the right time and bounced back two up with one hole to spare.

“It wasn’t an easy feat, but I thank God for giving me the victory,” she said.

The pair of Philip Kum and Sam Anyande emerged winners of the TYB men’s double match play category after they defeated the duo of Chile Ushahonba and Stephen Godwin.

Results in other categories saw Longdi Paul emerge as best gross ladies after she returned a gross score of 95.

Becky Danladi won the best net prize after she played off handicap 24 and returned 95 gross and 71 net.

The longest drive men’s prize went to Lyon Iyke, and the longest drive ladies’ prize was won by Yemi Sola, while Timothy Mike took home the nearest to the pin men’s prize.

In his remarks, Ali Peters, the Vice Captain of the club, said it was an exciting feeling to be back for the beginning of a new golfing year.

Peters revaled that the club would soon be wearing a new look with the ongoing construction of a befitting world-class practice range as well as the upgrade of some of its facilities.

“It’s so good to be back as we’ve missed the course, its challenges, the camaraderie and all the golfing banter, as well as networking with friends.

“We have so many tournaments lined up for the year, and this is just the beginning, and we have a lot of work to do in terms of upgrading and maintaining our lush green course.

“We are doing reticulation on our front and back nine and built a 10,000 litre tank with a network of pipes so as to ensure that both our greens and fairways are in good condition all year round.

“Also, since the inception of this club, we haven’t had a standard range. We have been making use of a make-shift range.

“So, we’ve built a range here and just putting some finishing touches to it. We will be commissioning it soon,” he said.

Peters thanked the Life Patron, Grand patron, patron, and Captain of the club, Maj. Gen. Samson Jiya, the exco and members for their support, commitment, and personal contributions to the success, growth, and development of the club.

The Lady Captain, Maureen Apute, welcomed everyone back to the TYB Course, adding that expectations were high as the ladies’ section had a lot of exciting world-class events already lined up for the year.

“First of all, let me use this opportunity to congratulate everyone who made it to the new year. The past year was really hectic and challenging, but we thank God for life.

“We welcome everyone back to our lush green course and wish them a good round all through the year as we look forward to hosting alot of exciting and world class events, both local and international here at the club, ” she said.