Kumasi, Oct.14, GNA - The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11, on Friday cut two tapes at Hole 10 and 14 of the Kumasi Golf Course to officially open the 50th edition of the Asantehene Open Golf tourney. The Asantehene dressed in a white cap, white interlock with black pair of trousers to march, performed the ceremony and played alongside Nana Bi-Kusi Appiah, the Omanhene of Manso-Nkwanta, Professor Ben George, President of Ghana Golfers' Association, Mr Johnny Owusu, President of the Kumasi Golf Club and Mr Delvine Hansworth, Managing Director of Guinness Ghana Brewery, sponsors of the Competition. After a flag raising ceremony inter-laced with burgle sounds, the Asantehene went straight to Hole 4, sponsored by the Late Rose Whitaker where a short prayer was said for the late Golfer who was also the Manager of Rose's Guest House, before Otumfuo teed off. The team from then played up to Hole 14 which is sponsored by Interplast Company, Producers of Plastic pipes where the Asantehene again cut an official tape.
The contestants played at the other two Holes of 15 and 9 and ended up at the Club House where the Asantehene welcomed a number of professional golfers from the Cote D'Ivoire, Nigeria, Achimota and Takoradi to grace the tournament.
The professionals are playing 72 holes over four days while the amateurs play 36 holes over two days starting from tomorrow, Saturday, October 15.
Among the over 400 golfers who are participating in the competition include three traditional rulers from the Ashanti Region. They are Nana Bi-Kusi Appiah, Paramount chief of Manso-Nkwanta Traditional Area, Oheneba Agyeman Kofi, chief of Ankaase in the Kwabre District and Nana Osei Kwadwo 11, Mamensenhene near Kumasi.