David Gabriel has emerged champion of the second edition of the West Africa Masters Golf Tournament, also known as the Rowland Adewumi Cup, after returning a gross score of 68 at TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja.

Gabriel won the ₦2.5 million first prize after overcoming a field of 72 professional golfers who competed for a total prize purse of ₦13 million at the one-day tournament.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition was organised by the West Africa Masters Golf Foundation, custodians of the Rowland Adewumi Cup, and powered by Kabom Golf Developers.

The second edition followed the inaugural tournament held at IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, in 2024.

The event also featured the unveiling of the blue jacket, which has become the symbol of the championship and is presented to the winner of the Rowland Adewumi Cup.

Gabriel expressed delight at winning the tournament, describing the achievement as particularly rewarding given the quality of players in the competition.

“I am very happy to win this great event, especially with so many accomplished professionals competing. It is a privilege to emerge champion among such talented golfers,” he said.

He explained that the tournament held special significance for him because he had participated in the inaugural edition but failed to achieve his desired result.

The champion commended the organisers for sustaining the competition, noting that tournaments of this nature provided professional golfers with opportunities to test their abilities, improve their skills and earn a living.

“I wanted to finish among the winners, but I am grateful to have emerged champion. I thank everyone who contributed to making this tournament successful,” he said.

Emmanuel Odoh, younger brother of former Nigerian number one golfer Oche Odoh, finished second with a gross score of 69, while Azu Ijeoma also returned 69 to complete the top three.

In the ladies’ category, Tina Micah emerged winner with a gross score of 76, while Stephanie Dafor finished runner-up with 77.

Micah described her victory as an encouraging achievement that would motivate her to improve her game and pursue further success.

She said competitions such as the West Africa Masters were important for golfers to assess their abilities, gain experience and improve their performances.

Akabom Enebong, Chairman of the FCT Golf Association and organiser of the tournament, said the competition was designed to promote professional golf and create more opportunities for players in Nigeria and the wider West African region.

He said the participation of 72 golfers demonstrated growing interest in the championship and represented an important step towards establishing a strong professional golf competition in the country.

“We are building our own version of the professional golf events organised in Europe and other parts of the world. We are happy that the second edition has been successful,” Enebong said.

He thanked the military authorities for providing the facilities used for the tournament and commended the sponsors for supporting the competition.

According to him, the initial prize purse of ₦12 million was increased to ₦13 million following additional support from Dame Julie Donli on the day of the tournament.

Enebong explained that Donli’s contribution was intended to support professional female golfers participating in the event.

He called for increased investment in sports, particularly at grassroots level, saying it could create jobs, reduce unemployment and provide young people with opportunities to develop their talents.

“Sports is a billion-dollar business globally. We must encourage more Nigerians to invest in it because it offers opportunities for employment, income generation and national development,” he said.

Enebong also described golf as a platform for promoting unity, noting that the sport brought together people from different backgrounds in a friendly and competitive atmosphere.

He urged the media to sustain its support for golf by publicising tournaments and highlighting the achievements of players.

The organiser disclosed that plans were underway to expand the competition next year by attracting more international participants and securing its place on the professional golf calendar.

He added that sports could help address insecurity and youth restiveness by engaging young people in productive activities and promoting discipline, responsibility and respect for others.

“Sports keeps youths busy, curbs insecurity and helps rechannel their excess energy into productive ventures while fostering discipline, responsibility and respect for others,” he said.

Enebong commended the organising subcommittee, led by Omo Alokwe, and Navy Commodore Sola Adebayo for their commitment and coordination of the tournament.

He also acknowledged the cooperation of the Professional Golfers Association of Nigeria, saying collaboration among stakeholders was essential to the growth of professional golf.

The FCT Golf Association chairman paid tribute to Otunba Rowland Adewumi, the tournament’s sponsor, for his sustained investment in grassroots golf development.

He described Adewumi as one of the pillars of sports development in West Africa, noting that his support had created opportunities for emerging golfers and strengthened the foundation of the sport in Nigeria and the wider region.

Enebong urged other well-meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to emulate Adewumi by investing in sports development.

Dignitaries at the ceremonial tee-off included Maj.-Gen. Samson Jiya, Chief of Defence Accounts and Budget at Defence Headquarters, represented by XL Dangaji; Nancy Nathan, FCT Head of Service; Donli, former Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and immediate past Lady Captain of IBB International Golf and Country Club; and Adewumi.

(NAN)