Ayayee Wins Division 1 Title at Stanbic-Asantehene Invitational Golf Tournament

John Ayayee emerged victorious in the Division 1 category at the Stanbic-Asantehene Invitational Tournament held at the Royal Golf Course in Kumasi on Saturday. Ayayee secured the top spot with an impressive 43 points, showcasing his skill and composure over the full 18 holes. He played off a handicap index of 12, demonstrating his ability to compete at a high level. The tournament was attended by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who teed off and played four holes with two other golfers.

The Division 1 category saw a strong competition, with Ekow Nyarko finishing as runner-up with 36 points, and Daniel Ntim in third place with 35 points off a handicap of five. David Frank Yawson followed closely with 33 points off a handicap of 12. Ayayee's victory was a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport. The tournament was played in perfect weather, allowing the golfers to showcase their skills without any adverse conditions.

In the Division 2 category, George Akwaah-Sekyi took the top spot on a countback, edging out Anthony Appiah who tied with 39 points each off a handicap of 24. The referee applied the back-nine countback rule, which put Akwaah-Sekyi ahead and left Appiah as runner-up. Baffour Kwame Kusi I finished third with 37 points off a handicap of 19, while Mark Kakraba-Ampeh was fourth with 36 points off a handicap of 18.

The seniors' category saw Dominic Derzu emerge victorious with 32 points. The tournament was a significant event, with the Managing Director of Stanbic Bank, Kwamina Asomaning, speaking on the bank's partnership with the Manhyia Palace. Asomaning emphasized that community engagement went far beyond corporate social responsibility, highlighting the bank's commitment to supporting local initiatives.

Prof. Bernard Kofi Baiden, Head of Operations at the golf course, acknowledged that golf remained a male-dominated sport globally. However, he stressed that efforts were underway to widen female involvement through dedicated packages and national programme representation. This initiative aims to increase participation and diversity in the sport.

The Stanbic-Asantehene Invitational Tournament was a successful event, with golfers competing across different categories. The tournament was played at the Royal Golf Course in Kumasi, providing a challenging and scenic backdrop for the competition. The event was well-attended, with the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, showing his support for the sport.

The victory for Ayayee and Akwaah-Sekyi marked a significant achievement for the golfers, who demonstrated their skill and determination throughout the tournament. The event was a testament to the growing popularity of golf in Ghana, with Stanbic Bank and the Manhyia Palace partnering to support local initiatives and promote community engagement.

Key points

• John Ayayee won the Division 1 title with 43 points at the Stanbic-Asantehene Invitational Tournament.
• George Akwaah-Sekyi took the Division 2 title on a countback, edging out Anthony Appiah.
• Dominic Derzu emerged victorious in the seniors' category with 32 points.