Overview:
At the lake side Entebbe club, the troublesome dog-legged par-4 hole number 17 is deservedly named after Deo Akope, for his immense contribution to the golf sport in general.
2025 Deo Akope Challenge Championship:
Top performers:
Overall winners:
- Men: Lony Akena (62)
- Ladies: Shaminah Nerima (65)
Others:
- Gross (Men): Lawrence Walakira – 71, 73, 71 (215)
- Gross (Ladies): Gloria Mbaguta – 75, 77, 79 (213)
- Professionals: Tadeo Gaita Rodell – 70, 66, 69 (205)
Deo Akope’s legacy in the golfing family speaks volume.
For over two decades actively involved in this sport; first as a caddie, then an artesian, through to the amateur level, a national team player, a full professional, teaching expert and national team coach, Akope has seen it.
At the lake side Entebbe club, the troublesome dog-legged par-4 hole number 17 is deservedly named after him for his immense contribution to the golf sport in general.
For the second year running, the Deo Akope Challenge, a golf tournament to celebrate his effort to the sport has been held.
This year round, the championship was played at Entebbe club with the different clusters of golfers per gender ranging from juniors, elite gross, the leisure category and the top professionals, luring 251 golfers across the divide.
Elite gross players and professionals endured a grueling 54 holes action played over in three rounds, on three different days.
By close of business, Tadeo Gaita Rodell showcased the fine form with three rounds of under-par enviable performances to beat the rest of the crop in the professional class to pocket Ug.Shs 3,450,000 for the hard earned effort.
Gaita opened up with a 1-under-70 gross mark on day one, he tore the field apart with 5-under-66 during round two and wrapped up the business with 3-under-69 on day three for a combine 205 total gross in 54 holes.
“It was a great tournament. I am particularly impressed with my day two scores. I need to maintain this form” Gaita who shot an eye catching eagle on hole 18 during round two remarked.
Grace Kasango (207), Marvin Kibirige (211), David Kamulindwa (211) and David Kato (211) completed the top five slots.
Other professionals were made the cut were Fred Wanzala, Samuel Owen Kato, Abraham Ainamani, Deco Herman Mutebi, Tom Jingo, Emma Ogwang and the man of the moment himself, Deo Akope.
Akope scored 4 (par), 4 (par) and 5 (bogie) in three round on the 495 yards dog-legged par-4 hole no.17 baptized “The Deo Akope Challenge”.
The gross men winner was Lance Corporal Lawrence Walakira with 71, 73, 71 (215) to earn Ug. Shs 1,700,000.
“This is a great feeling to win” Walakira attested after his first career “major” win.
Joseph Kasozi came second with 218 gross whilst Joseph Reagan Akena had 221 gross for third place.
Meanwhile, left-handed Gloria Mbaguta, the lady captain at Uganda Golf Club amassed 75, 77 and 79 in three round for 213 total gross, earning Ug. Shs 800,000.
Meron Kyomugisha and Martha Babirye were first and second runners up with 233 and 237 gross marks respectively.
The men overall winner was Lony Akena (62 nett) with Shaminah Nerima (65 nett) to finish as the female overall winner.
Others:
The subsidiary section witnessed Anthony Agaba championed group A with 65 nett while Jerry Owachi scored 66 nett to take the group B bragging rights.
Juniors:
Calvin Nasaaba (66 nett) was outstanding male junior player. Frista Birabwa (72 nett) won the female junior award.
Seniors:
Jeninah Nasimolo (72 nett on countback) was best female senior with Patrick Kagoro (70 nett) as best male senior.
Side-bets:
Martha Babirye drove longest among the females as Ivan Arinaitwe taking the longest drive for the men on par-5 hole-18.
Hellen Lunkuse won the nearest to the pin ladies’ award whilst Jerry Owachi took the male award on par-3 hole-10.
Partners and sponsors:
To make the tournament eventful, a number of partners and sponsors joined hands with Deo Akope as MTN Uganda, Numax, Street Club Entebbe, Entebbe Club, Uganda Golf Club, White Glove, FS Beyond Dynamics Limited, Deo Akope Foundation, ifortify and friends.
