Ghana beat Nigeria to win Independent Cup

As part of its activities to celebrate Ghana’s Independence, the Achimota Golf Club has for over ten years, established a reciprocal relationship under which they play an inter-club -match play to commemorate the independence anniversary of their respective countries – Ghana and Nigeria.

The club hosted over 70 Nigerians from the IBB Golf Club of Abuja to a thrilling and competitive weekend of Golf at the Achimota Golf Club between the 6th and 8th of March 2020 to commemorate 63 years of Ghana’s Independence.

The Celebrations started with the Independence Cup for the Juniors and this was played in 2 categories - 9-Hole Stable ford and 18-Hole Stroke play (Red and Yellow Tees). Little Fahroni Jonah sealed the winner for the 9-hole junior competition. Gifty Achana and Philip Yeboah won the 18 Hole Stroke play competition with a gross score of 92 on the Red Tee and 81 from the yellow tee respectively.

The much anticipated Independence day cup saw over 130 golfers from Ghana and Nigeria compete for the ultimate winning trophy. The keenly contested ladies competition saw Ms. Aliyah Iddriss win the silver category with a net score of 70, playing off handicap 18.

She was followed by the veteran golfer Mrs Ama Morgan who carded a course par with handicap 20, winning on count back against Mrs Phelicia Goosens with the same handicap. Mrs F. Olateju from Nigeria came first with a net score of 70 with handicap 24 in the Ladies Bronze category.

She was followed by Mrs J. Ikinue who came second place on count back with a net score of 73 playing off handicap 26 and third place by Mrs Mariatu Bah with a net score of 73 playing off handicap 25.

In the Men's Silver Category, T. Tsegba from Nigeria won with an amazing net score of 66 to beat Ghana’s Frank Adu Jnr. who returned a net score of 68 to place second after a keenly contested round of golf. The President of the Ghana Golf Association, Mr. Mike Aggrey came third with a net score of 70.

Mr M. Haruna from Nigeria, playing off handicap 24 sealed the day with an amazing net score of 65 to win the Men's bronze category. Second place was Mr Edward Owusu Manu with a net score of 67, playing off handicap 24. Mr Felix Addo, a club Trustee and member of Achimota Golf Club, carded a net score of 68 to place third.

On the second day, the doubles match play commenced with a flag-raising event, during which a minute silence was held for 4 members of both teams including Ghana’s Paul Ondiwa who did not make it to this year’s celebrations as a results of their untimely demise.

The fiercely contested match-play saw some giants of golf in Africa including Retired General I.B.M Haruna of Nigeria. After the first day match-play, team Ghana led with 20.5 points against that of 12.5 for team Nigeria. The singles match play was the comeback platform for team Nigeria. However, the Ghana team was too formidable for their opponents and gave the visitors a run for their money.

Ghana continued with the lead with 33.5 points against 30.5 points for the visitors. This saw Ghana lift the newly donated match play cup with a gross score of 54 points.

The cup was donated by Mr. Eddie Addo, former Presidnet of Achimota Golf Club.

Retired Gen. I.B. M. Haruna urged both countries to continue to use the spirit of these annual events as bridge building excersise towards the economic transformation for its people and the people of the region at large.

The Independence cup was headlined by Bank of Africa and supported by SMEC Ghana, Jaguar Land Rover, Mr Paul Jacobs, Mr Ibrahim Bah, Mr Michael Obeng Appiah, Peak Golf Ventures and Qwench Mineral water. The event was proudly produced by Strategic Plus Solutions, your go-to event managers.

Achimota Golf Club was established in 1934 to provide recreation for the staff of Achimota School, then the Prince of Wales College and has seen many changes and transformation over the decades to become Ghana’s premier destination for Golf.