OVERVIEW OF GOLF IN GHANA

INTRODUCTION

Golf was introduced into the country (Gold Coast) by the early colonial administrators. They constructed  Nine-Hole Golf courses mainly in Accra in Ghana Amateur Open Golf Championship the early 1920’s and the history of Golf in Ghana is linked with the. Records indicate the existence a Beach Golf course at Christiansborg   in Accra and the growth of Golf to other parts of the Country namely, Secondi, Takoradi, Winneba, Kumasi and Achimota.

GOLF COURSES

Ghana now has about 15 Golf Clubs. These are predominantly in the Western Region at Takoradi, Benso, Obuasi,  Bogoso, Damang,  Awaso, Tarkwa and the remainder dotted around the country at Achimota, Sakumono,  Airforce Mess, Tema, Tafo, Kumasi, rudiments at Wind Bay and  Coconut  Groove.

The  number of Golf  Courses have   fluctuated and  dwindled  between 15  and 20  over  the  years  since  the 50’s. Some of  these  courses  have since gone  extinct, namely  the  Beach  courses in  Accra , others at Nsawam, Winneba, Cape Coast, Abosso,   Nsuta, Prestea, Konongo,and Akwatia.

A cursory examination will confirm that these facilities are mainly at Mining Towns and old colonial settlements

Under listed are the current numbers of Golf courses;

1. Achimota Golf Club   - 18 holes/Greens
2. Bok Nam Kim Golf Club  - 9 holes/Browns
3. Celebrity/Sakumono Golf Club - 18 holes/Greens
4. Tema Country Golf Club  - 18 holes/Browns (in the pro cose of greening)
5. Takoradi Golf Club   - 9 holes /Browns
6. Benso Golf Club   - 18 holes/ Greens
7. Tarkwa Golf Club   - 9 holes/Greens
8. Obuasi Golf Club   - 9 holes/Greens
9. Damang Golf Club   - 18 holes/Greens
10. Tafo Golf Club   - 9 holes/Greens
11. Royal Golf Club/Kumasi  - 18 holes/Greens
12. Windy Bay / Winneba  - 9 holes/Browns (not active)
13. Ankobra Golf Club /  Bogoso  - 9 holes  
14. Coconut Grove Golf Club  - 9 holes
15. Awaso Golf Club   - 9 holes

GHANA GOLF ASSOCIATION

These   Clubs affiliated to form the Ghana Golf Association (GGA) in the mid 1970’s led by a group of dedicated Golfers who were members of the biggest Club, Achimota, notably JVL Phillips, Kwesi Chinbuah. Acquaah Harrison and the late David Anderson. They became the Executives of the GGA.

The GGA is mandated to promote the game of Golf in Ghana, both Amateur and Professional; regulate all attributes   pertaining to golf,  inclusive of interclub’s disputes, and enforcing the rules of Golf in accordance with the rules of the World Ruling Body, Royal and Ancient (R&A) of  St Andrews, Scotland.

The GGA is managed by a Council composed of a President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Deputy Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, and Captains of Affiliated Clubs, two representatives of Ladies Golf Unim(LGU) and the president of the Professional Golfers Uman (PGA).