Otumfuo’s daughter excels in Asantehemaa golf

A nine-year budding golf talent, Ohemaa Afua Kobe Serwaa Ampem, daughter of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, improved by two strokes from last year’s runner-up position to grab the ultimate in Group B of the ECOBANK Asantehemaa National Youth Golf Tournament at the Royal Golf Course last Saturday.

Despite playing over just four holes, the nine-year old class four pupil of D and D Academy in Kumasi proved too strong for her senior competitors in the 10-12-year category to win the ultimate.

The annual competition, reserved for non-caddy youth and players enrolled in educational institutions or recognised golf academies from the ages of 10 to 16 was an initiative of the Asantehene and named after his mother, Nana Afua Kobe Serwaa Ampem II, queenmother of the Ashanti Kingdom.

Little Ohemaa, named after her grandmother, won the two-horse race on a gross score of 26, two strokes better than Pemille Kronborg.

The overall best player, however, went to 16-year-old first year student of Ghana Secondary Technical School (GSTS) who won on his maiden participation on a sudden death rule.

He grossed 42net just as his runner-up in the main boys group, Prince Egyiri of the Tema Country Golf Club, but Alfred triumphed via the sudden death rule.

Jessica Ahonon of the Royal Golf Club failed to hold on to an early lead in the girls’ 13-16 years category and was overtaken by Pamela from Tafo on 33net score.

Other winners were Tange Sibly of Obuasi in the 10-11 boys category, followed by Hendrick Groen from the Royal Golf Club.

Richard Ofori and club mate Michael Opoku of the Benso Golf Club were winner and runner-up respectively in the 12-13 years boys category.

The wife of Asantehene, Lady Julia, said Ghana had a bright future in the sport seeing what the youth had demonstrated.