Inkum displaying his trophy
Rookie John Akoto Inkum stormed through a field of 32 qualifiers to win the Royal Golf Club Kumasi (RGCK) Match-Play Special 2020.
The competition is a club-sponsored event played over three days (September 19 to 21) with the qualifying rounds (round of 16, 8, quarter and semi-finals) over nine holes and the final over 18 holes.
Inkum, playing in his first-ever match-play off handicap 22, eliminated Bernard Baiden (hcp 11) and Robert York (hcp 18) at the round of 16 and 8 on the first day.
He then eliminated Delali Agbo-Klu (hcp 18) and Samuel Badu-Danso (hcp 9) at the quarter and semi-finals stages on day two.
His opponent in the finals, George Basonege, who plays off handicap 3, eliminated Emmanuel Coffie (hcp 24), Isaac Asante (hcp 28) on day one.
He progressed to the finals by taking care of Kwame Adu Afful (hcp 15) and Daniel Ntim (hcp 4) on day two.
The proud winner started the final match very well and maintained his lead consistently until the 17th hole when he increased the margin to finally win 2 and 1.
The pair managed to complete the 18th holes but it was merely procedural as John had already accounted for George a hole earlier. Inkum thanked George for the stiff competition and the experience. He was also grateful to the management of RGCK for introducing them to different and interesting formats of play. He was confident that come next year, he will be able to defend his title successfully.
To spice up play on the final day, the rest of the field who lost out at the various stages and those who could not take part played 18 holes in a stableford format as support.
In-form Louise York (hcp 26) continued her remarkable progress and returned 37pts to win the Support Ladies.
Emmanuel Coffie (hcp 24) won the Support Men Group B (hcp 19 to 28) with 40pts. Daniel Affum (hcp 4) returned 41pts to win the Support Men Group A (up to hcp 18).