Dodou
Kassama, winner of the 2014 Gambia Open and Pro-Am, was on Saturday 17 December
2016 crowned champions of the 2016 Gambia Open, defending his title.
The
tournament organised by GGA from 12 to 18 December 2016 was played at the Fajara
golf course and Kololi Beach Resort golf course respectively.
As
winner of the 2016 Gambia Open, Dodou Kassama was rewarded with a cash prize of
D50,000.
Yusupha
Tamba and Omar Jadama, who finished the tournament joint second position,
received each D17,500.
Ebrima
Sarnnel, a Sierra Leonean professional golfer, took fourth place thus received
D12,000.
Edrisa
Jammeh collected D5,000 after finishing fifth position.
Sixth
to tenth positions were each rewarded with a cash prize of D1,000.
In
the Amateur’s men category 1, Alasan Jallow, took first position. He was
followed by Anthony Jatta on second position while Anthony Tabbal occupied
third position.
Quintin
Hampton came out first position in the amateur’s men category 2. Barry Twiss
took second while Terry Seager emerged third.
In
the ladies category, Esther Walsh emerged first position. Nyahally Samateh took
second position while Tracey Horton-Maher finished third.
Esther
Walsh was named the overall winner of the amateur category.
Fansu
Drammeh emerged as winner of the caddy category. He was followed by Yusupha
Jammeh on second position while Pa Modou Sarr took third position.
The
men’s longest drive was won by Anthony Jatta while that of the ladies was won
by Nyahally Samateh.
The
nearest to the pin award went to Terry Seager.
Esther
Walsh won the best ladies amateur score at both Kololi Beach Club golf course
and Fajara golf course.
The
best men amateur score at Kololi award was grabbed by Alassan Jallow.
Yusupha
Conteh went home with the award for the best men amateur score at Fajara golf course.
The
award fort the lowest score at both Fajara and Kololi went to Mark Goddard.
The
most birdies prize at Kololi was won by Quintin Hampton.
Speaking
on the occasion, the president of the Association Ebrima Jawara, thanked
sponsors for their support, saying this was the first time in its 41 years
history that the Gambia Open was played over two different golf courses (Fajara
golf course and Kololi Beach Resort golf course).
He
said the objective of the GGA is to decentralize the sport across the country
as well as promote golf tourism.
“With
the active participation of Kololi Beach Resort and the continued support of
the Gambia Tourism Board we have taken the first tangible steps towards
realizing that objective, “ he pointed out, saying they hoped the addition of
another venue will pose a greater challenge for both amateurs and
professionals.
The
first vice president of the Gambia National Olympic Committee, Ms Beatrice
Allen, gratified the GGA for organizing a successful tournaments as well as
promoting golf in the country.
She
assured them of her office’s continued support.