Princewill Albert dominated the 2026 Ibom Golf Open Championship, clinching the title.and bringing a memorable end to the tournament.
Key Highlights:
- Albert’s triumph came after 12 years of commitment to amateur golf.
- He credited Emmanuel Ochayi as his favorite coach and a major influence on his development.
- According to Albert, confidence in his ability to win grew as his game became more consistent while maintaining power.
- He identified Rory McIlroy as his biggest golfing mentor.
- His favorite golf course outside Uyo is TYB Golf Course.
- Looking ahead, he aims to win the Nigeria’s Cup and The Prestige Golf Classi
Long before the official announcement, keen followers of the tournament had already sensed the outcome through the live scoring system introduced by the organizers.
The innovation, which provided real-time updates throughout the championship, generated excitement and transparency, allowing players and spectators to track the performances of individual golfers as they unfolded.
Moments before the winner was revealed, jubilant supporters gathered around a table occupied by prominent golfers and administrators, including Senator Bassey Albert, Captain of Benin Golf Club, Stephen Ebaretonnbofa, former Calabar Golf Club captain, Bassey Nkposong, Emem Eduok, and others.
At the centre of the growing celebration stood a towering figure whose calm demeanor concealed the magnitude of the moment—Princewill Albert.
As the DJ switched to the iconic championship anthem, “Stand Up for the Champion,” the hall erupted in applause and shouts.
And Princewill Albert, an accomplished oil and gas businessman and a brother of Senator Bassey Albert, was officially crowned the 2026 Ibom Open champion.
For Albert, the victory marked the culmination of 12 years of dedication to amateur golf. Ironically, the man who announced his triumph remains one of the most influential figures in his golfing journey.
“Coach Emmanuel Ochayi is my favorite coach among all those who have tutored me in golf,” Albert said after receiving his trophy.
Asked when he began to see himself as a potential champion, Albert pointed to a period when consistency became the hallmark of his game.
“I started to believe and work towards better scores when my shots became more consistent without losing strength. That helped me stay focused and trust in my ability to win,” he added.
Like many golfers around the world, Albert draws inspiration from one of the game’s global stars. “My biggest golf mentor is Rory McIlroy,” he revealed.
While the lush fairways of the Ibom Golf Course have played a significant role in his development, Albert admits there is another course he particularly enjoys.
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“TYB Golf Course, Abuja,” he said when asked about his favorite course outside Uyo.
The new champion’s victory at the Ibom Open adds to an impressive list of achievements accumulated over the years.
Despite reaching the summit at Ibom Open, Albert remains ambitious. “My next target is to win the Nigeria’s Cup and The Prestige Golf Classic,” he said.
Reflecting on the championship, Albert praised the organizers for raising the standard, particularly in scorekeeping.
“The best thing the organizers did this year was accurate score-taking by having marshals stationed at every hole. It eliminated score manipulation completely. They should maintain that standard going forward,” he advised.
For the champion, the triumph is more than a personal achievement, saying: “I dedicate this victory to my wife and sons, who have been directly affected by my love and dedication to the game.
“I have sacrificed quality family time and many opportunities to create memories with them because of training and competition. Their support has been invaluable.
“I dedicate this victory to Senator Bassey Albert for his unwavering support and encouragement throughout my golfing journey and in helping me achieve this dream.”
For Princewill Albert, the greatest reward was not monetary. It was the honor of etching his name into the history books as the 2026 Ibom Open Champion—a title earned through years of persistence, discipline, and belief.
