Emos Korblah rules again at Accra Open

It was Emos Korblah’s name they were all singing again Sunday afternoon at the

Achimota Golf Club as the 62nd Accra open climaxed with the richest man in this


country in tow.


Sir Sam Jonah, OSG, was the special guest of honour at Ghana’s biggest golf


tournament which fittingly, gave out its biggest ever prize money to the winner of


the main event and a brand new Jaguar also on offer for a hole-in-one play, albeit


which no one could.


“It was a pleasant invitation to be guest of honour but I received it with some


regret. As you know, I’ve hit hard times so I wanted to win the Jaguar to appease


myself. So I saw the invitation as a communist informal tactic to get me out of the


race,” Sir Jonah joked before proceeding with his closing remarks.


The Chancellor of University of Cape Coast continued: “Golf is about honesty,


integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, perseverance, fairness, patience,


endurance and justice. It is a privilege to be the guest of honour for what has been


a leading tournament that has over the years always brought together the best

golfers in our country and sub-region.”


And the very best of Ghana’s professional golfers were on parade for a tough battle


but which in the end, had just one winner. Emos Korblah nicknamed the Landlord for


his endless streak of wins in the major golf tournaments in Ghana, was back top of


the podium as he did last year.


Korblah totalled 281 playing over four days to beat into 2nd placed Vincent Torgah


by a massive 7 shots to claim the unprecedented cash prize of GH¢15,000. Torgah was


the same golfer Korblah defeated to claim the Ghana Open crown barely three weeks


ago added to the Tema Open 2012 which he also won, with some golf enthusiasts


calling for his ban from competing.


“It’s a very great day, I’m so happy. There is no way anybody can ban me, it’s never


done in sports. They have to work hard to knock me off, I’m going nowhere because


I’m not tired of winning. Today’s victory is also very special being the defending


champion, it’s just fantastic and I’m so happy,” Korblah

told www.sportsinghana.com right on the Achimota golf course after receiving his


winning cheque.


Runner-up Torgah took home GH¢8,000 with joint-third S.K. Klah and Kojo Barnni


sharing GH¢4,000 each in a total prize pool of GH¢45,000 for the professionals field


alone in a demonstration of the prizes and giveaway galore at the 2012 Accra Open


that gave winners in five categories return Virgin Atlantic airtickets.


MTN, Virgin Atlantic, Doscar Travel and Tours, McGinley Design, Kinross, Guinnes


Breweries Ghana, PZ Cussons, Fairlop Ghana, to name a few, all sponsored several


award categories, which saw many golfers departing for home with trophies and


souvenirs.


Yao Dogbe won the 0-5 handicap category which had prizes for the top 6, Men’s Gross


division rewarded the top 3 as David Eustance won whilst the Men’s Handicap category


saw A. Ghandour crowned champion of three prize winners.


Tema Open cum Ghana Open champ Jessica Tei underlined her billing as Ghana’s number

one female golfer with victory in the Ladies’ Scratch event after beating Mercy


Wermer and Cynthia Nyantakyi into 2nd and 3rdspots respectively.


Ladies Handicap’s top prize was taken by B. Vetsch-Bempong who returned 151 net


playing over two days to beat Felicity Okyei-Gyeabour into 2nd and Clara Price in


3rd place.


Yaw Asa Sam topped the Seniors’ male division which saw Dr. Paul Ayim finish second


whilst Esi Cobbinah won the ladies category.


There was also a youth tournament which rewarded the top three teenagers with trophy


and home theatre set each whilst brave young Felix Quarshie grossed 54 over 9 holes


to win the special competition for players between 8 and 10 years old.


In conclusion, Rene Kwame-Gameli, Captain of the Achimota Golf Club, was beside


himself with gratitude and joy for hosting another incredibly successful Accra Open.


Mr. Gameli-Kwame also revealed the support of Tullow Oil in developing a newly


designed golf course in Achimota which will start use beginning next year and big

plans for the youth.


“With this infrastructure in place, golf in Ghana will only get better and be


projected internationally as we begin to host more internationally rated golf


tournaments in Achimota. Our motivation is to make professional golf more


competitive and appealing to the younger generation as well as attract international


participation,” Mr. Kwame-Gameli said.


He added a pledge: “Youth and junior golf development in our club remains one of the


most important areas of our focus. Effective next year 2013, Achimota shall organize


and host the boys and girls junior championship which will become an annual event on


our calendar.”