Course par reduced for 65th Asantehene Open Championship
Organizing Committee of the 65th Asantehene Open Championship has reduced the Course Par from 72 To 70.
The tournament teed off Wednesday at the Royal Gulf course in Kumasi and is expected to end on June 11, 2022.
The four day tournament is an annual Golf Championship which has been in existence since 1955 played in honour of the His Royal Majesty Otumfou the Asantehene of Ashanti Kingdom.
It has seen both local and foreign players in the amateur and professional levels participating as it is rated as one of the highly competitive Golf Tournaments in Africa.
Speaking on Power Sports Extra about the event, the Organizing Committee Chairman for the event, Professor Bernard Kofi Baiden highlighted what Golfers must expect and arrangements made for a successful Championship.
“Last year because of COVID, we played for three days but this year it’s four days although we are taking precautionary measures to make sure everyone is safe,” he explained.
With the Professionals, there’s something special this year because we have 25% of the field coming from outside Ghana and this is fist of its kind and we Have the championship players also playing four days this year.
“About 30 professional players will take part. The current top ranked players and previous champions are all taking part, the likes of Torgah, Amos Korblah, Maxwell Owusu Bonsu, Lucky Ayisah, E.K Osei they all been consistent.
“The one who won before COVID Sunday Olapade from Nigeria is Also coming with others from Togo and Cote DIvoire.”
‘We had golfers from all over part of Ghana and most of the golfers ready for the championship.’
When asked of changes Committee has made on the Course this year, Mr. Baiden said, “this year we have made some significant changes to the course for example some holes have been changed both yardage and par as well.”
He added, “Anyone who has played the course before know is par 72 but is now. 70 and that’s the biggest change we have made and this is the best standards.”
“We bought Greens Roller Last year and will have been using it to roll and cut the greens every day throughout the tournament so the golfers must expect very fast and accurate Greens.”
Asantehene Otoumfour Osei Tutu II will open the tournament on Friday and awards ceremony to climax the event at the Golden Tulip Hotelon Saturday June 11, 2022.
Only five golfers have successfully defended the trophy – S. K. Appiah (1963, 1964). W. Degbe (1982, 1983), Kofi Nimako (1992, 1993), James Larry (1995, 1996) and Kojo Barni (2001, 2002).
By Nana Prempeh|Myxyzonline.com|Ghana
