Overview:
On the opening day, Cwinya-ai scored a total of 9 birdies, the six coming in the opening six holes and three on holes 8, 13 and 17. The rest of the scores were pars.
2025 Absa UGC captain’s bell (Elite Gross):
- Winner: Joseph Cwinya-ai – 63, 71, 66 (200)
- Runners up: Anthony Otukei -79, 70, 67 (216)
- T3: Lawrence Walakira – 76, 73, 70 (219)
- T3: Joseph Kasozi – 72, 72, 75 (219)
- 5: Joseph Akena – 73, 73, 74 (220)
Joseph Cwinya-ai won the elite gross cluster of the 2025 Uganda Golf Club (UGC) captain’s bell tournament in Kitante, Kampala.
Cwinya-ai struck with 200 gross (-6) in 54 holes played over three days.
The Uganda national team captain set the tournament alight with a course record equaling 63 gross-mark during the opening day of action.
On the day, he scored a total of 9 birdies, the six coming in the opening six holes and three on holes 8, 13 and 17. The rest of the scores were pars.
He then played one-under 71 on day two (4 birdies, 11 pars and 3 bogies); and ended with 6-under 66 during the third and final round (8 birdies, 8 pars and 2 bogies).
Anthony Otukei (216) came second whilst Lawrence Walakira and Joseph Kasozi tied in third place on 219.
Joseph Reagan Akena, the reigning Uganda Amateur Open champion, scored 220 to finish fifth overall out of the field of 48 golfers.
Meanwhile, in the professional category, Deo Akope amassed a total of 277 strokes (gross) played in four rounds (-11) to emerge champion.
He opened up with par score (72) on day one, improved to 3-under 69 and scored 4-under-68 for the subsequent two closing rounds.
Akope will enjoy a lion’s share of the Shs 20,000,000 prize money kitty.
Other professionals:
Towering Grace Kasango scored 285 gross (72, 71, 74, 68) for second place.
Three professionals, Phillip Kasozi, David Kamulindwa and Tom Jingo tied in third place with 286 gross marks apiece.
Former three-time Uganda amateur open champion Ronald Otile (287) finished sixth as Tadeo Rodell Gaita (288) came seventh.
Davis Kato and Abbey Bagalana finished joint 8th with 289 strokes apiece.
Marvibmax Kibirige (293), Abraham Ainamani (294), Saidi Mawa (295), James Koto (298), Samuel Kato (298) and Emma Ogwang (301) all made the cut.
The subsidiary group golfers will swing off on Saturday, 17th May 2025, for a day-long event that will climax with the official prize-giving ceremony.
