By Nicholas Osei-Wusu
Kwaku Okyere of the Achimota Golf Club has won this year’s Stanbic Asantehene Invitational Championship.
The 18-hole championship attracted 72 golfers who competed at the Kumasi Royal Golf Course in the Ashanti Region. The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, teed off to open the tournament, marking the start of the day’s competition.
The annual invitational, sponsored by Stanbic Bank, is held in honour of the Asantehene in recognition of his contributions to national development, peace and the banking industry in Ghana.
Participants, both professionals and amateurs, came from golf clubs including Achimota, Nsuta and Kumasi Royal, while others were selected from Stanbic Bank’s clientele with an interest in the sport.
The Head of Operations at the Kumasi Royal Golf Club, Prof Bernard Baidoo, said the championship also aims to promote interaction, friendship and healthy living among golfers.
“It used to be called the Otumfuo Invitational before it was renamed the Asantehene Invitational. Stanbic has sponsored the event for the past seven years. The focus is on interaction and general play, especially for amateurs, unlike professionals who play for prize money,” he said.
In the Seniors category, Kwaku Okyere won with 35 Stableford points, ahead of Kwashie Avemegah, captain of the Nsuta Golf Club, and Chris Apau-Oppong of the Achimota Golf Club, who placed second and third respectively.
Vivian Dick of the Kumasi Royal Golf Club won the Ladies category with 34 Stableford points, followed by Samira Abdulla and Pearl Andrews, who both recorded 33 points. In the Men’s Category A, Bernard Dwomoh emerged winner with 38 Stableford points, while Isaac Amoako topped Category B with 34 points.
The Executive Head of Corporate Communications and Marketing at Stanbic Bank, Mawuko Afadzinu, said the championship is organised to honour Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for his role in promoting peace and development, as well as his longstanding support for the bank.
Stanbic Bank has assured of its continued sponsorship of the championship in the coming years to celebrate the Asantehene’s contribution to Ghana and beyond.
