Accra, March 5, GNA - Carl Maxwell Brew-Aidoo retuned a net score of 142 to win the maiden Ghana Independence Open Golf Championship which teed off at the Achimota Golf Course in Accra on Sunday. He was followed by Tom Mongari with 143 net, Samuel Bannerman-Wood took the third position with 145 net while Allen Arshworh placed fourth with 146 net beating Paul List on count-back.

In the Ladies event, Esther Amedzro came first with 136 net with two strokes ahead of Ama Morgan who took the second position while the third position went to Yaa Konadu Sarfo Debrah with a 139 net. The Longest Drive on Hole 14 was won by Esi Cobbina while the 'Closest to the Pin' award went to David Arkutu.

The two-day 36-Hole event dubbed the 'President's Cup' attracted 170 golfers from Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Cote d'Ivoire, Senegal and Sierra Leone.

It was jointly sponsored by a number of companies including the Ghana Commercial Bank Limited, Prudential Bank Limited, State Insurance Company of Ghana Limited and Western Tele-systems Ghana Limited. The game was organized by the Ghana Golf Association in collaboration with the Achimota Golf Club and played under the auspices of the President, Mr John Agyekum Kufuor who took the ceremonial tee-off.

The championship formed part of activities marking the 50th anniversary celebrations of Ghana's Independence. President Kufuor in an address read on his behalf called on the Association to train the youth so that they can take over after them for the futire progress of the sport.

Mr Mike Ezan, President of the Achimota Golf Club gave the assurance that the event would be held annually and called on other corporate bodies to help towards the development of the sport.