Golf in the year 2013, like the rest of the sporting events was action parked with the usual thrills, shocks and ‘obvious’ results. One tournament that evokes fresh memories of many an ardent golf follower is the 71st Tusker Malt Uganda Open that was proudly held at Entebbe Golf course.
Day one leader, Peter Ssendawula, winner of the event in 2009 held onto his nerves to clinch the championship once again, the biggest on the local golfing calendar.
“My last day scores particularly from the front 9 nearly let me down, but thanks to God I recovered in the final 9 holes to win this tournament,” the handicap 1 player told Kawowo Sports at after putting the final winning shot at the famous 18th hole, as the anxious gallery cheered on.
Ssendawula, who also won the title in 2009, ironically the last time the Entebbe club had hosted the event, was playing on his home course where he scored an opening 68 gross which a course 3- under and he held onto the lead with 75, 73 and 72 on days 2, 3 and the last one respectively.
Kitata Chokes at the Open But Wins Several Titles:
One gentleman who will really live to remember the year was Willy Deus Kitata. Prior the Uganda Open tee off, all pundits and golf fanatics had premeditated an on form Kitata, who had won several local events was primed to take the top honours, bearing in mind he too, like Ssendawula, was playing on a familiar course that has always left many cursing given the terrain.
Kitata, leader day 3, succumbed to pressure as he returned a dismissal 10 over par 81. Having carded a one under 70 score on day 3, the temperamental player lost his cool on the last day to finish third, behind Robert Oluba and eventual winner, Peter Ssendawula.
He even broke a club, deliberately double bogeyed the par 4 Ann Wykes Elbow Hole, much to the disappointment of the then growing gallery that was moving alongside the pressure group of Ssendawula, Robert Oluba, Henry Lujja and Kitata himself.
But lady luck continued to smile on the Entebbe based golfer (Kitata) as he landed a rare opportunity to mingle with some of the world’s finest golfers as he got an invitation to train with the best golfers in Holland.
Dar es Salaam Angel Rules in Uganda
For the second year running, Angel Eaton, a Dar es salaam based golfer won the Uganda Ladies’ Open, which was also held in Entebbe. It was a rather emotional win for the 23 year Tanzanian born golfer, who sobbed at the 19th hole as she was rewarded.
A few days later, Angel won the 2013 Pepsi Independence golf tournament at Uganda Golf Club. Several ladies continued to improve particularly Maureen Okurra, as she cliched the JBG open
Birth Of Lira Golf Club:
2013 saw the birth of a new golf club in the country with the grand opening of the Lira Golf Course.
Other Events:
The national team was second behind Kenya in the 2013 East African Golf Challenge. Ssendawula won the City Tyres Mehta Open in Lugazi, Kitata won the Kabale, Kakira, Chairman’s Cup and the Lira Open.
Timothy Okwi clinched the 2013 JBG and Kenya Day tournaments. Several Mugs were played across the year with the grand mug of mugs hosted at Entebbe with glittering and eye catching fireworks.
Professionals’ Woes Continued:
The joy of every professional golfer is to play great golf and make the cut to the money brackets. Many professionals in the country continued to struggle making the cut particularly in many of the local and foreign events.
Instances of amateurs returning better scores were a common sight. Internationally, Deo Akope and Dennis Anguyo failed the Mena Test.
The year 2014 looks bright and all is set on the respective courses for the action to unfold at the T-Boxes as the swings drive the balls in full flight. Catch the eagles, Birdies, Hole -in-Ones, Bogies, Double Bogies and Pars, and definitely the Piga Mingi’s reward at the 19th Hole Experience. See you then.
HAPPY 2014.
