Golf: Epe Retains eTranzact Title, Eyes US Tour 

Lagos-based Francis Epe, defended the eTranzact title he won last year over the weekend in Abuja. Epe says his focus is set on professional golf tours in the United States.
 
Speaking at the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja on Friday after shooting three under 213 (71, 71, 71) in the 54-hole event, he said his present form will give him a place on tours outside Nigeria.
 
“I am very happy for the wins I have at home. I am making plans to push my career further by exploring some tours in the United States, plans are already in place, and I am looking forward to it.”
 
Oche Odoh shot 215 (75, 69, 71), to finish in second position, while Ibrahim Ocheje placed third with 220 (74, 71, 75) in 54 holes.
 
Niyi Toluwalope, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of eTranzact, said that Francis Epe epitomizes diligence and the resilience expected of a champion.
 
“It takes sheer hard work to win a title and come back one year after and defend it. We are very proud of him and other players who have made the eTranzact Classic their performance test across West Africa. He has shown that he is diligent and resilient.
 
“We are encouraged by the impact we are making in helping hone golfing talent. Just like our role in the tech space, where we lend support through the deployment of our infrastructures for the ease of financial transactions, and mentorship to budding startups, golf has afforded us to replicate our values through this event.”
 
This year’s event sets a new record in entry on the Professional Golf Developmental (PDG) Tour, with a total of 126 professionals and category one players featuring at the three-day event.
 
Femi Olagbenro, PGD Tour Commissioner, said the Tour and its activities have lived up to its objectives. It has helped grow the tournament calendar for professional golf in Nigeria.
 
“We are just in our second season, and we have been able to bring on a new level of interest to professional golf in Nigeria. We achieved this by creating more value for those willing to partner with us on this developmental journey. We are very pleased to see most of the corporates that opened last season with us coming back with bigger prize purses, this season, including eTranzact.”
 
Olagbenro said the total prize purse paid so far to players is already double what was paid out in the first season.