Jessica in a Thrilling Finish at Ghana Ladies Golf Open

Jessica Tei has effectively wrapped up a sizzling victory at the Vanguard Group sponsored 7th Biennial Ghana Ladies Open Golf Championship in a very fascinating fashion at the Tema Country Golf Club, after a two day thrilling tourney albeit a course that appeared very wet, dreary, among an equally strong field.

She won on an aggregate gross score of 173 playing off handicap 12 in the main category. By her win, she has added another major win to her resume after she clinched the coveted Asantehene Gold Cup over a month ago.

Her burst on the scene has clearly widened the chances of Ladies in the old age bracket from staying atop the leaderboard especially on big stages; because Jessica is now high energy and she is winning. Grace Afriyie, a relatively younger golfer now obviously can't seem to stay in contention, her momentum is perhaps ebbing, she trailed second on an aggregate gross score of 176, so Jessica knows her moment of ultimate domination is now.

“I can see my game is up. I am practicing a lot and mostly playing against other ladies who cannot match my stamina and accuracy. Of course, they are very good golfers with abundant worth of experience, but I come with the chill factor.” She explained. She continued, “For Grace, I keep telling her that her days are getting over and I am now on top. I thank God for His grace so far and for my sponsor, Cowbell for keeping faith with me.” She concluded.

A somehow accuracy off the tee and consistency on the greens delivered her 5 pars on the first day with a lone birdie. She made 6 pars on her final round and recorded the longest drive on the 18th hole.

Beatrice Vetsch-Bempong tied third place with Mona Captan Myers-Lamptey on an aggregate gross score of 184. Fourth place finish went to Mercy Werner with an aggregate gross score of 185 and Leticia Amponsah-Mensah secured fifth place on an aggregate gross score of 186.

Esther Amedzro, winner of the Ecobank Chairmen Seniors' Competition was beaten to second place finish by Nana Bema Tackie(164 net score) , after she returned a total net score of 168 during the two-day golf encounter in the Ladies A net scores category. Not a very impressive score line, but she was adamant to attribute her performance to the usual wet course trouble.

“I admit several bunkers were flooded but the Rules of Golf took care of those contingencies. On the whole, the course was 90% playable.” She explained. With improved drives having scaled up her chances in the category, same however could not be said of her putting.

“My putting deserted me. There were too many '3 putting' and that spelt disaster. Some of my balls decided to go swimming in the water hazards and that affected my overall score.” She said however maintaining that, she wouldn't complain because she won the second net prize in the division.

G. Lablache was thankful for the huge atmosphere she had to play in front of and got off with a net score of 169 for third place. Adelaide Owusu-Adjapong clearly appeared surprise after she made it in the winners' circle on a total net score of 170 for fourth place, having beaten R. Khalil to fifth place. “I am very surprised really, but I didn't play badly; I didn't play great…I was just off mostly. I am happy for the prize nevertheless.” She said

President of the Ladies Golf association of Ghana, ……..was very appreciative of the continued support of Vanguard Group of Companies and praised the generosity of the Group's Vice Chairman, Mr. Daniel Awuah-Darko for providing an ultra-modern Ladies washroom facility at Tema Country Golf Club.

The Vanguard Group, with brands of towering stature in corporate Ghana, was very expressive every step of the way as far as sponsoring the event was concerned. Huge turnouts, great euphoria, avalanche of prizes, amazing dinner reception, and a resounding promise to continue with the sponsorship.

“We are happy to be associated with this event. With our four brands, that include; Vanguard Assurance, City Investment Company (CIC), Vanguard Life and Vanguard Properties, it can only get better.” Mr. Kwesi Tumi, MD, City Investment Company Ltd assured.

Story by Collins Oppong