Ghanaian minigolf sensation, Kelvin Boateng, held his nerve to produce a sublime 18-hole of putting to claim the men’s stroke play title of the 2018 Coca-Cola Open Africa Minigolf Championship last weekend in Accra.
Boateng held off Guinean Abu Bakar Korouma to claim the trophy and one out of four available tickets to participate in the Major Series of Putting (MSOP) later this year in Las Vagas.
According to Boateng, winning the three-day tournament, which featured the best players from across the African continent, has left him confident of pulling off a surprise in Las Vagas. Gladys Kpatchy of Togo completed a brace of laurels by partnering with her compatriot, Arthur Somasse, to win the Mixed Pairs event, in addition to her Women’s Stroke Play crown.
In the Knockout Cup last Sunday, German Alice Kobisch edged out 54 other players, including her compatriot, Christian Pannek, whom she defeated sudden death in the final. Alice, 53, aced the difficult hole 18 with a hole-in-one in the second playoff round.
Christian Pannek of Gemany, Karl Lokos of Austria and Mokolla Byldie of Gabon were also named the Most Valuable Players of the competition.
Special awards were also handed out to Maruf Ahmed (Most Consistent), Lina Fattal (Youngest Player) and Forbes Club (Most Progressive Club).
Mr. Talal Fattal, Secretary General of African Minigolf Federation commended the players for their competitive spirit and enthusiasm of all the participants. He said “Minigolf has come to stay and the best is yet to come.”
The championship was brought to you by Coca-Cola, MTN, Telefonika and MSOP.