Saturday 13th July was an exciting day for the golf community and for Ghana’s tourism sector.  The 2nd Annual Ghana Centre of the World Golf Tournament, Year of Return edition, took place at the Tema Country Golf Club.  Both Ghanaians and those from the diaspora community participated in the competition that celebrates Ghana being the centre of the world and recognizing the Year of Return.  Hon. Barbara Oteng Gyasi, Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture, officially opened the tournament with an opening address to all who were present.

“This is a tournament which is very important to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture because of the positive part of an iconic project that the ministry is undertaking, which is the centre of the world project.  We all know that Tema, and this location host the Greenwich Meridian line latitude zero degrees, which passes through this golf course and the government is desirous of developing a project around this to sell Ghana.”  Lieutenant Commander Stephen Manu, Commanding Officer in Ghana’s Navy, was also there alongside the Minister for the official unveiling of a new plaque marking the place where the Greenwich Meridian passes through the golf course.  “This is Ghana at the centre of the world!” Oteng Gyasi proclaimed after removing the colours of Ghana draped over the new monument.

Kwadwo Antwi, CEO of Ghana Tourism Development Company, was pleased with the overall tournament.  “We are happy about the tournament for us at Ghana Tourism Development Company, to see that what was conceived as a little idea to help people see the centre of the world project, was a great event.”  He said that it was a great way to position Ghana around the world and that he hopes it will attract more people from neighboring countries and beyond next year.  “We had 120 registered for the tournament, but 109 actually competed.  This is double the number from last year when we had about 60 golfers.  So to have doubled the number, this year is very remarkable, we are confident that next year we shall be able to double the number again.”

This year’s sponsors for the event included Japan Motors, SIC Insurance, Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra City Hotel, and Ghana Free Zones Authority.  All sponsors contributed to some of the prizes awarded to the winners of the tournament.  Golfers of all ages from different clubs competed in the event.  Some attendees said they didn’t realize how significant it was that Ghana is the centre of the world.  Having the Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture there along with the Naval officer, solidified its importance to some of the golfers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“It’s been a very good day, both from the golfing point of view and for advertising Ghana as the centre of the world and also the year of return.  It has all come together very nicely,” Akwasi Agyeman, CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority told the press after the event had announced all the winning participants. Agymen further commented that sports tourism has the ability to boost tourism sector and can only get better through such activities as this tournament.  He congratulated the organizers on a successful event and said he looks forward to an even bigger event next year.

The tournament wrapped up with a lunch served to all the participants, socializing and a Military Band played live music for everyone to enjoy.  Winners were given trophies and prizes by some of the sponsor representatives. Some key people also handed out awards including Kwadwo Antwi, CEO of Ghana Tourism Development Company, Akwasi Agyeman, CEO, Ghana Tourism Authority, and Akwasi Ababio, Director of Diaspora Affairs, Office of the President.

 

 

There were men and women of all ages competing in the event including a woman who said she’s been playing golf since 1954.  At age 79, Florence Etwi Barimah, aka Lady Scientific, said she has won many awards throughout her life playing golf, but she doesn’t do it for the trophies.  She continues to play to keep herself in shape and encourages others to do the same.

 

WINNERS LIST – GHANA CENTRE OF THE WORLD GOLF TOURNAMENT

MEN GROUP A             

POSITION	HANDICAP	NET	WINNER	GOLF CLUB
WINNER	5	70	TEYE LARTEY	TEMA
RUNNER-UP	4	71	AUGUSTINE MANASSEH	TEMA
3RD PRIZE	7	72	OCANSEY E. K	TEMA
4TH PRIZE	1	72	PRINCE AGYIRI	DAMANG
5TH PRIZE	6	73	AARON AYITEY	ACHIMOTA

 

MEN GROUP B

POSITION	HANDICAP	NET	WINNER	GOLF CLUB
WINNER	20	70	ISAAC A. MENSAH	CELEBRITY
RUNNER -UP	17	70	REV. AUGUSTINE MENSAH	TEMA
3RDPRIZE	19	74	MICHAEL AGBOJAH	ACHIMOTA

 

LADIES GROUP A     

POSITION	HANDICAP	NET	WINNER	GOLF CLUB
WINNER	12	72	MERCY WERNER	CELEBRITY
RUNNER -UP	14	73	MARGERET OWUSU BAAH	TEMA
3RD PRIZE	20	77	FLORENCE ETWI BARIMAH	TEMA

 

LADIES GROUP B      

POSITION	HANDICAP	NET	WINNER	GOLF CLUB
WINNER	27	76	C. OPPONG	TEMA
RUNNER -UP	19	77	ADELAIDE OWUSU ADJAPONG	TEMA
3RD PRIZE	23	78	GLADYS AWUNI	TEMA

 

SENIORS    

POSITION	HANDICAP	TS	WINNER	GOLF CLUB
WINNER	12	73	CHARLES MARTEY	TEMA
RUNNER -UP	11	74	BRIG. JOSEPH ODEI	TEMA

 

LONGEST DRIVE

POSITION	HANDICAP	TS	WINNER	GOLF CLUB
MEN			JERRY TETTEH	ACHIMOTA
LADIES			MARGARET OWUSU BAAH	TEMA

 

CLOSEST TO THE PIN          

POSITION	HANDICAP	TS	WINNER	GOLF CLUB
MEN			REV. AUGUSTINE MENSAH	TEMA
LADIES			HELEN APPAH	CELEBRITY

 

PROFESSIONALS

POSITION	HANDICAP	NET	WINNER	GOLF CLUB
WINNER			E.K. OWUSU	TEMA
RUNNER -UP			KWAME LIGBIDI	TEMA
3RD PRIZE			ERIC HENAKU	TEMA

 

Written by Ivy Prosper