David Mark tees off at the tournament

Andrew Odoh on Sunday emerged the overall winner in the professional category of the 2016 Pro-Am Golf tournament in Otukpo, Benue.

The tournament, organised to mark the 68 birthday of former Senate President, David Mark, saw Odoh carding a total score of 214 over 54-holes in three days.

The feat saw Odoh pocket a cheque of N500,000, while the runner up, Odegha Sunday, who carded a total score of 219, went home with a cheque of N300,000.

Sen. Mark, who participated in the tournament as a veteran, said the Otukpo Golf Club had put Nigerian golf on the world map, having produced an African champions.

He said “we want to build the academy to a level where it will regularly represent Nigeria in international competitions.

Mark and wife Helen cut his birthday cake

“I want to see in my life time a graduate of this academy play in world championship; that is the target I have set for the President of the academy, David Mark-Junior.

“These are the boys and girls who give me a lot of joy, that is why I ensured this tournament coincided with my 68 birthday so that I can celebrate it here with them.”

According to him, nine players have been disqualified from the championship to give the tournament credibility.

He also said that the disqualification was to give the young ones in the academy a good sense of direction.

The former senate president said; “for the benefit of the golfers themselves, we have to disqualify nine players for not properly dressing their caddies.

“If you must play golf in Otukpo, you must obey the rules of golf because discipline is very important in the game.

“Golf is not like other sports; boys and girls from this golf club have represented Nigeria at international competitions in the last one year and we must uphold that legacy.”

Lucky Onjefu, a Senior Secondary School One (SSS 1) student of Agboko Memorial College Akpegede, Otukpo, won the academy boys category.