Deontay Amate has emerged as the overall winner of the 2025 Captain’s Cup in Abuja at the golf tournament which ended on Saturday night at the IBB International and Country Club, Abuja.
Amate, who played off handicap 14, returned a gross score of 81 and 67 net to beat his closest challenger M. Suleiman on count-back, to emerge the overall winner of the tournament.
Suleiman, who also played off handicap 4, with 73 gross and 69 net finished as best nett in the men’s division 1 (handicap 0 – 10) category.
Isaiah Okonofua, playing off handicap 10 with 80 gross and 70 nett, finished as the runner-up nett, after he brushed aside M.B Hassan on count-back.
In the lady’s division 1 (handicap 0 – 15) category, former lady captain and BOT member, Grace Ihonvbere playing off handicap 14, returned a gross score of 84 and 70 nett, to emerge as best nett.
Teenage sensation, Grace Agbo, playing off handicap 6, with 80 gross and 74 nett, went home with the runner-up prize in the category.
The men’s best gross prize for division 1 (handicap 0 -11) went to M. Suleiman, who played a total of 159 gross (80+79) over two days, while,
Okonofua on the other hand, emerged as best gross winner of the men’s division 2 category (handicap 11 – 28), after playing a total of 167 gross (81 + 86) over two days.
Former Nigeria number one ranked golfer, Andrew Odoh, emerged winner of the professional category after playing 66 gross, while U. Ogbuokiri won the ladies’ pro category with 80 gross.
Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, represented at the event by Martins Esin, extended his warm congratulations to the leadership and esteemed members of the club, as well as the sponsors and partners for the successful hosting of this year’s Captain’s Cup.
“Your preference and excellence continue to raise the profile of golf in Nigeria and this tournament has once again proven the power of sports to unite, inspire and uplift.
“I specially commend the sponsors and partners of the tournament, for their unwavering support which has not only sustained this momentous event but has also played a vital role in promoting the game of golf across the nation.
“Your contributions speak volume about the value of public/private partnership in advancing recreational and sporting excellence,” he said.
The Speaker also affirmed his unflinching support for the IBB International Golf and Country Club, and for the continued development of golf in Nigeria.
The outgoing captain, Ibrahim Babayo, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all the participants who came out to celebrate him.
Babayo said that the event was not just about celebration, but a moment to reflect, take a walk down memory lane and to recall the gains of his Executive Committee.
“We were given clear and critical mandates; to register the club’s constitution, to inaugurate the committee for filling vacancies in the BOT, to ensure the Forensic Audit Committee carried out its responsibilities and to inaugurate and support the Disciplinary Committee and the Audit Committee.
“We took off with purpose and ensured that each of these tasks were carried through to its logical conclusion – with diligence, transparency and commitment.”
Babayo said he was proud to have led an effective Exco which achieved so much in the period of one year.
He mentioned some of the milestones achieved to include: the complete restoration of the golf course and the current work carried out on hole 13 to solve the perennial problem of flooding.
The captain listed other achievements to include the replacement of all sprinklers and repair of critical maintenance machinery, the renovation of the clubhouse reception by Julius Berger as part of their CSR, amongst several other accomplishments too numerous to mention.
“These accomplishments are a testament not just to the Exco, but to the collective will and support of every single member of this club.
“We also succeeded because of your cooperation and the belief in this team.
“As we prepare to hand over the baton, we do so with our heads held high.
”We are proud of our journey, and excited for the future of IBB International Golf and Country Club,” he said.
NAN
