Overview:
Day two of the series will swing off on Thursday, 17th July 2025.
2025 Pearl of Africa Golf series (Lugazi leg):
Round 1 (Professionals leaderboard):
1 – Ronald Otile – 71
2 – Hussein Bagalana – 72
3 – Canary Kabise – 73
T4 – Grace Kasango – 74
Irene Nakalembe – 74
Marvin Kibirige – 74
Herman Deco Mutebi – 74
8 – Abbey Bagalana – 75
T9 – Emma Ogwang – 76
Bulhan Matovu – 76
Ronald Rugumayo – 76
The opening round of the final leg for the 2025 Pearl of Africa Golf series in Lugazi was held on Wednesday, 16th July.
Ronald Otile scored a course level par score (71) to establish a single stroke lead at the Lugazi Hills and Country club course.
Otile fired three birdies on the round, two coming at the back nine with 12 pars and 3 bogies.
After a dismissal start with a scratch on the opening par-4 hole one (265 yards), Otile had four consecutive pars on holes 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Hole six (par 4) was another bogie with the first and only birdie at the front coming on par 5 hole 7.
He completed the front course with two pars on 8 and 9 before embarking on the final 9 holes.
At the back course, he opened with the birdie on par-5-hole-10, followed by par scores on 11 and 12.
The third bogie came on hole 13. Holes 14, 15, 16 and 17 were level and strong finish on par-4 hole 18 with a birdie.
It is a tough course but I tried my best. On the sixth, I landed on the green but my approach wasn’t good. That green is big and has many tiers, and I three-putted. But tomorrow is another day and we shall give it another go.
Ronald Otile, professional golfer
Hussein Bagalana struck 1-over-72 and closely follows the leader.
With 2-over-73, Canary Kabise is third on the leaderboard.
Four golfers Grace Kasango, Irene Nakalembe, Marvin Kibirige and Herman Deco Mutebi played 3-over 74 to share joint third place.
Abbey Bagalana (75), Emma Ogwang (76), Bulhan Matovu (76) and Ronald Rugumayo (76) are all in the top 11 positions after the opening 36 holes.
A total of 26 professionals took part in the opening round at this newly opened course.
Gross category:
Juma Abiti leads the male gross cluster with 1-under-70, two strokes better than Joseph Cwinya-ai.
In the female gross category, Peace Kabasweka leads the cast of players with 79, one better than Martha Babirye. Long hitter Meron Kyomugisha is third with 10-over-81.
Day two of the series will swing off on Thursday, 17th July 2025.
Sponsors & partners:
The tournament has received support from different sponsors and partners.
Vivo energy, white cap crisp, UNOC, MTN Uganda, Mighty Rides, Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Lugazi sugar, Aquafina, Itec, home bliss and Nbs sport.
