Dennis Dilli emerged as the overall winner of the Maj. Gen. Godwin Umelo (Rtd.) 60th birthday golf kitty, held at the TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja.
The four-day tournament teed off last week Wednesday and concluded on Saturday night with a grand ceremony in honour of the retired general’s milestone celebration.
Dilli, who played off a handicap of 24, recorded a gross score of 88 and a net score of 64 over 18 holes to clinch the top prize. Elated by his first-ever tournament victory, he described the moment as “special,” especially after years of near-misses.
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“It felt special because it is the first ever win in a tournament,” Dilli said. “I have been playing in a lot of tournaments here at the club for a long while, but have never won anything. Many of my friends even discouraged me not to bother playing in any tournament again, but I refused to give up until I finally achieved my goal.”
He credited his success to consistency and integrity, encouraging fellow golfers to stay committed. “So, my message to everyone here today is to keep on playing and playing fairly. It is all about being nice to yourself as well as the people you play with. You must also have that sense of integrity and sincerity in all you do,” he added.
Dilli also thanked the celebrant and organisers, noting that Umelo’s goodwill had drawn people from various walks of life to the event.
In the men’s division 1 (handicap 0–14), John Odoh (handicap 5) won best net with 72 gross and 67 net, while Melody Adekunle (handicap 12) posted 81 gross and 69 net to finish as runner-up. Joel Bizinta came in third, and Saturday Otubo claimed best gross with 74.
In the ladies division 1, Lizzy Samuel (handicap 16) secured best net with 90 gross and 74 net. Grace Luka followed closely with 92 gross and 76 net.
Other winners included Dibu Ojerinde (Super Veteran), A. Mandara and Martins Adaboh (Veteran), and Moses Idoko, who topped the professional category with a 66 gross and won N580,000. Runners-up Oche Odoh and Musa Usman earned N510,000 and N380,000 respectively.
In the same vein, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa has poured encomiums on Maj. Gen. Godwin Umelo (Rtd) for his contribution and service to the nation during the tee-off ceremony.
The CDS noted that, using the game of golf to celebrate him signifies unity, adding that the Armed forces stands for unity.
“We want to unite Nigeria and make Nigerians understand that ours is a great country. We need to love Nigeria a little bit more.
“By loving our country is the only way we can make a difference. All the challenges we are having are because of some few individuals who don’t mean us well.
“They want to make sure that Nigeria is destroyed and that we destroy ourselves, but we will never give them that opportunity.
“Together, united, we are stronger, better and greater,” he said.
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