Golf News of Sunday, 14 October 2012

Source: Collins Oppong

Yao Dogbe wraps up Taysec Cup victory

Yao Dogbe wrapped up an exciting win during the 4th Taysec Cup Championship at Achimota on Saturday, 6 October with 38 Stableford points off handicap 4 to hold off Infinity champion Richard K. Mensah by a lone point.

Dogbe drove the front nine with remarkable accuracy by hitting balls very close and solid, but poor putting caused him considerable birdies. “My putting was way below average,” he admitted. “I two- putted where I could have conveniently lined up birdie putts.”

His statistics on the front nine were a mixture of seven pars and a lone birdie on par-4 second. En route to this feat, Dogbe stayed focus on the game, tried hard not to look back at his narrow misses, and decided not to watch what the other contenders were doing.

On the back nine, Asantehene Gold Cup champ Dogbe sank a birdie on par-5 tenth, then followed through with a series of pars until he encountered a bogey on hole 15. He soon recovered, with pars on holes sixteen and seventeen, but wound up with a bogey on hole 18 when a putt for par missed the pin by an inch. He was nevertheless happy with the victory and confided that he plans to practice a lot more in preparation for the Accra Open. “I have high expectations for the Open,” he said. “It’s my home course, and I shall work hard to outplay the other contenders.” The Open begins on Thursday 18 October and ends on Sunday, 21 October.

Occupying third place in the Men’s category was D. Eustace, who scored 35 Stableford points off 6. Bortei-Doku took fourth place with 35 off 18, C. Ofori took fifth with 15 off 34, and E. Sawyer Oddoye hit 34 off 12 for sixth place. In the Ladies’ category, Nana Bema-Tackie outlasted the remaining field with 35 Stableford points off 17. In second place, Clara Price had the same Stableford score of 35 points, off 20. B. Sowah-Allotey trailed third on 34 Stableford points off 26.

T. Matthews won the Longest Drive in the Men’s category. Maggie Anderson won the same in the Ladies’ category. K. Dickson was phenomenal for Nearest to the Pin in the Men category with Brigitte Harrington taking the prize in the Ladies’. Taysec remains by far the most loyal sponsor of golf at Achimota, and the company’s presence at the 4th Taysec Cup event was clear. With a great turnout and palpable excitement among audience and players alike, Taysec renewed its commitment to supporting the game at Achimota.

“We are integral part of this golf course, and we are glad to inform all of you that we will stay forever.” He assured. “As long as you support us, we will continue to support you.” Geoff Fisher, Taysec Managing Director.

Club Captain Rene Gameli-Kwame expressed Achimota’s appreciation to sponsor, Taysec and the golfers for the appreciable turnout.