President of the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Ghana, Mr. Hans De Beer, has commended Goldfields Ghana for coming back to support professional golfers.
In an exclusive interview at Damang during the 4-day open, he expressed that Goldfields had been a backbone of the PGA until they went out for a short period; however, he is glad that they are back and can be looked upon for sponsorship in the years to come.
“We thank Goldfields and really appreciate their support. We look forward to another deal for the coming five years,” he said.
He welcomed the participation of nationals from other parts of Africa coming to feel the greens of the Damang course.
This year’s tournament saw golfers from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Togo, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Senegal competing with their Ghanaian counterparts on the unpredictable and difficult course.
He described the performance of the golfers as stunning; however, professional golf can be enhanced in Ghana.
According to him, professional golf has improved in Africa, and it is good for players to move out to compete.
On the performance of the players, he noted that the course is a difficult one to play, but buthree-timees winner, Kojo Barnni has proved to be the master of the course, while other golfers have improved the quality of play over the past five to ten years.
He, however, missed Vincent Torgah, who he described as number one in Ghana, but was out engaged in another international tournament.
According to Mr. De Beer, the PGA, which was founded in 1975, is 50 years old, and in December they will organise a special tournament to celebrate their golden Jubilee.
He revealed that past leaders of the PGA would be remembered and honoured as part of the celebrations.
This year’s tournament, which is the eleventh at Damang, attracted 13 female professionals, including four Ghanaians. A total of 72 golfers competed from Tuesday, 11th to Friday, 14th November.
By Sammy Heywood Okine
