Olapade Wins CMCL at Smokin Hills

Sunday Olapade, last weekend justified his ranking as the third best player in Nigeria with a win of the 17^th CMCL Open at the Smokin Hill Golf Resort in Ilara Imokin, Ondo State: after the absent of top-two players.

His last day 67, five under par also eclipsed, Markus Elija’s first day course record 68, four carding.His new record score was all he needed to overrun Elisha in the CMCL Open championship race over the weekend.

“I had to be positive all-week. It was tough and being penalized four shots on the second-day of the event for mistaking some of my supporters form home course for front caddies was not an easy one at all. I played my last two rounds fighting back and I am glad I am able to recover from the setback” he said.

He shot 75, 74, 68, 67 to total 284, four under par for the event beating Elisha by one stroke after 72 holes. Emos Korblah and Oche Odoh-who hold the two pole positions on the Nigeria’s ranking did not swing at the event.

Dominic Andrew, Operation Director of the PGA said of the performance, “Whoever had won is a big gain to the PGA; both Olapade and Elisha are new kids that I believe are redefining the Tour in Nigeria. I also think when the top regular players show up, there may not be much different because of the confidence they are building”

Andrew says that the Tour is producing more champions now and that is what it was set-upto do.

In the joint third place is former Winner of the CMCL Title, Lateef Lasisi of Abeokuta Golf Club and Christopher Francis from Minna Cantonment Golf Club, Minna. They both shot 297, nine over par at the event.

The total purse for the event was N5million naira.

Top Ten Players at CMCL