Overview:
The 2023 Venus open in Fort Portal city was used to officially tee-off the country-wide Tusker Malt Golf Series.
2023 Venus Golf Open:
Overall winners:
- Men: Joseph Cwinya-ai – 70 Gross
- Women: Judith Komugisha – 75 Gross
Seniors:
- Men: Charles Kagombe – 71 Nett
- Women: Edrea Kagombe – 75 Nett
For the fourth time in a row, Joseph Cwinya-ai returned to the podium as champion after the 2023 Venus Golf open championship at the Toro club in Fort Portal city.
The national team golf captain played a course level score (70 gross) to beat the rest of the field to the top prize.
Cwinya-ai was two and three strokes better than Frank Mugisha (72) and Titus Okwong (73).
In total, he scored 11 pars (1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16 and 17) with two birdies on holes 4 and 18, one eye-catching eagle (hole 10) as well as 4 bogies on holes 5, 8, 11 and 14.
The weather was fine and I was calm, playing hole by hole with caution. I am happy for this season opening victory as I look forward the rest of the year.
Joseph Cwinya-ai, winner 2023 Venus golf open
The ladies’ category was won by Judith Komugisha (75 gross) as Lillian Koowe came second with 84 gross.
In the senior’s event (55 years and above), it was all smiles for the golfing couple of the Kagombe’s. Charles Kagombe won the men event with 71 nett as Edrea Kagombe finished top among the ladies (75 nett).
Charles beat runners up Smart Bwango (73) to the top prize as Edrea came top ahead of Jill Pinda.
Other top performers:
In the men group A (handicap 7-12), George Kahihura (handicap 8) won countdown with 72, as Emmanuel Komugisha (handicap 7) and Albert Mwebwe (handicap 12) followed with 72 net score as well.
For group B (handicap 13-18), Eriah Byaruhanga (handicap 15) also won on 72 nett (countback), same score as Mutesasira Kitengo (handicap 15) and Andrew Isagara (handicap 14).
In group C (handicap 19-28), the winner as Polly Rwandekeye (handicap 28) with 70 nett.
Denning Yampa (handicap 36) followed with 77 whilst Brian Masaba (handicap 22) was third with 79.
Ladies:
Robina Angom, playing off handicap 14 scored 75 nett to win the ladies group A (handicap 0-18) ahead of Ann Abeja (handicap 8) with 76 nett.
In group B (handicap 19-28), Florah (handicap 25) won with 65 nett, ahead of Rossett Tugume
Aisha Kansiime (handicap 29) scored 69 to win group C ladies (handicap 29-39).
Side-bets:
Mehta Golf club’s Godfrey Nsubuga won the men longest drive contest with Janet Kabayonga taking the ladies award.
Titus Okwong won the nearest to the pin (men) and Judith Komugisha took the ladies.
Bernard Baguma, Toro Club Captain expressed his gratitude towards the golfers and sponsors for the successful tournament.
I cannot tell you how happy I am that we got to do this again and very successfully. Today’s tourney is one that we always look forward to on our calendar and the fact that we got to do it with Venus and Tusker Malt makes it all worthwhile. I want to thank members of the club, the golfers that came out to play.
Bernard Baguma, Toro Club Captain
Meanwhile, the same championship (Venus open) was used to officially tee-off the country-wide Tusker Malt Golf Series.
This countrywide tour is expected to traverse all parts of the country in a bid to make golf more accessible and inclusive.
It is also a build up to the annual Tusker Malt Uganda Golf Open.
Tusker Malt Regional Sales Manager, Jasper Otim emphasized the brand’s position on golf and why the series is very important.
I am very excited about this series. The Open is all that we hoped it would be and this is just the beginning. The vision is to make golf more accessible to people and more inclusive so that everyone that has passion for the game can play. It is tournaments like these that lay the groundwork toward what we are trying to achieve.
Jasper Otim, Tusker Malt Regional Sales Manager
The next stop on the Tour is Lugazi with the Mehta Open that is expected to take place on March 18 and then to Arua City for the Arua Open that is slated to take place in June.
