Mamensenhene Wins Men’s Category A Of 66th Asantehene Open Golf
Otumfuo Mamensenhene, Barima Osei Kwadwo II, has won the Men’s Category A of the just-ended 66th edition of the Asantehene Open Golf tournament.
He won by four points over his fierce contender, Yaw Barnafo of the Achimota Golf Club.
He beat Mr Barnafo and Mr Kofi Akyene of the CRIG to win the title.
The traditional ruler who had 40 points was presented a plaque at a dinner organised by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, at the Lancaster Hotel on June 17.
In all, 33 winners were appreciated and recognized on Saturday.
The ladies’ handicap was taken by Vivian Dick, a member of the Royal Golf Club whereas the men’s side was won by Paul Chen, also of the Royal Golf Club.
The Ladies Championship was won by Constance Awuni and the men’s side was taken by Ezekiel Afisco.
Irene Nakalembe won the Ladies Professionals category while Vincent Torgah won the men’s Professional category.
This year’s competition, described as “unprecedented”, attracted international golfers from seven different countries in Africa including Ghana.
A total of 206 Ghanaians from golf clubs across Ghana participated.
In a speech at Lancaster Hotel, the Chairman of the Management of Royal Golf Club, Mr Kwesi Atta Antwi said: “We have indeed witnessed an international golfing event with professional and amateur players from Ghana, Nigeria, La Cote D’Ivoire, Togo, Zimbabwe, Senegal and Uganda.”
“The number of foreign participation was unprecedented in our history. 16 professional men and 13 ladies professionals from five countries. In total, 237 professionals, amateurs in different categories took part in the tournament and this is commendable,” he stated.
The King of the Asante Kingdom in his speech appreciated all the participants, the leadership of the Royal Golf Club and the sponsors.
About The Tournament
The Asantehene Amateur Golf Tournament known as the Asantehene Open Golf Championship was first played in 1955 in honour of the Asantehene. The first tournament was won by Mr Justice L.C. Lingley.
In the early years of the tournament, it was dominated by expatriates who at that time formed the bulk of the membership of the club and generally golfers in the country. The expatriate dominance was broken in 1963 when S. K. Appiah won the first of his seven championships.
Though S. K. Appiah successfully defended the trophy in 1964 the expatriate dominance continued until after the 1974 tournament which was won by Mr. J. C. Ryan.
Ghanaians have dominated the championship ever since. This is because of a membership drive for Ghanaian members and the gradual popularity of the game among Ghanaians all over the country.
During the prize-giving ceremony in 1999, the year Barima Kwaku Dua then enstooled as Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II was presented with a set of golf clubs by Ghana Breweries Limited then the sponsors of the tournament.
In 2000, Otumfuo promised to replace the winner’s running trophy so the 2000 winner Peter Korsah of Takoradi won the trophy for keeps. The new trophy was first won by Kojo Barnni of the Royal Golf Club, Kumasi and he defended the trophy successfully in 2002.
Only five (5) golfers have successfully defended the trophy – S. K. Appiah (1963, 1964). W. Degbe (1982, 1983), Kofi Nimako (1992, 1993), James Larry (1995, 1996) and Kojo Barni (2001, 2002).
In 2009, MTN signed a 5-year title sponsorship agreement with the club. This continued until 2017 when another Telcom giant Vodafone took over the title sponsorship with an initial 5-year agreement which has since been extended for another 5 years ending in 2026.
