Peter Ssendawula, 30, exhibited composure of the highest nature to emphatically triumph at the 71st Tusker Malt Uganda Golf Open played over 4 days at the par 71 Lake Side Entebbe Golf Club, the oldest Golf Course in the entire East African region (founded 1901).
“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,” remarked the handicap 1 player, who also won the title in 2009, ironically the last time the Entebbe club had hosted the event.
Ssendawula, playing on his home course had 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.
“I am grateful to all Entebbe members and my sponsor, Entebbe Central Inn. It has been a great 4 days and thank you for the wonderful tournament’, a visibly excited Ssendawula said at the award giving 19th Hole.
Ssendawula, citing lack of a sponsor was however non committal on whether he will re-join the paid ranks, a privilege that comes along with winning the Uganda Golf Open title.
Ssendawula will perhaps have some reason to smile as he was promised by the Entebbe Club members a chance to participate in the Asian Tour Championships. “We assured him, he wins the open, then we do the rest”, remarked Innocent Kihika.
Defending Champion, Phillip Kasozi had a miserable tournament as he never even appeared in the top 10 finishers by the close of business on day 4. Perhaps, he won the best hole 18 (named Dan Nkata Drive) prize on the final day after returning 76 gross.
Pre-event favourite, another Entebbe based player, Willy Kitata who had won day 3 with a one under 70 score on day 3 lost his cool on the last day. He 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.
Entebbe based Professional, Vincent Byamukama enjoyed the biggest percentage of the Ushs 30M staked by the sponsors (took 5.3 M) after he won the professionals category. He returned 284 for 4 days.
Left Handed Richard Ainley was second with 290, a stroke better than Uganda Professional Captain, Deo Akope. 20 Professionals made the cut from the total 35 who participated from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda.
“Entebbe Club has shown world class organization, we have no regrets having brought the 2013 Open to Entebbe, thank you Tusker Malt lager, thank you the winners and the losers,” said Amos Nzeyi, the president, Uganda Golf Union. Nzeyi also offered the Entebbe Club members free membership for 2 months at the Entebbe Road Kakungulu Golf Course.
George Bagambisa won the Piga Mingi Award, a special trophy given to the worst player of the tournament. He carded scores of 99, 99, 101, 104 to total a (gross of 403 over the 4 days of the open.
Dunstan Nsubuga, 12, was the youngest caddie member at the 2013 open. He is caddie to Lugazi based dreadlocked Ronnie King Bukenya, who finished 9th overall with a gross score of 309 in the amateur’s catergory.
The party continued on the famed 19th Hole till late in the night courtesy of sponsors, Uganda Breweries Limited under the brand Tusker Malt lager. UBL injected in Ug Shs. 100 M to run the entire event.
Musician, Lillian Mbabazi and her Sand Downers’ band entertained the Guests, players and Golf well wishers. She was later joined by the renowned ‘Entebbe Choir’, a group of golf enthusiasts from Entebbe, who sing their hearts out at the 19th Hole.
The celebrations and possibly the lamentations will continue till the next 72nd Edition of the pars, Birdies, Hole -in-Ones, Bogies, Double Bogies and Pars, and definitely the Piga Mingi’s. The event is the biggest on the Uganda Golf Union Calendar.
See you then.
ALL THE WINNERS AT THE 2013 UGANDA GOLF OPEN:
Top 10 Amateurs
Peter Ssendawula 68, 75, 73, 72 (Gross: 288)
Robert Oluba 72, 71,78, 71 (Gross: 292)
Willy Kitatta 73, 75,70, 81 (Gross: 299)
Henry Lujja 73, 76, 75,76 (Gross 301)
Patrick Mwaka 72,75, 77, 77 (Gross: 302)
D.Baguma 74, 76, 73, 76 (Gross: 305)
Ronald Otile 79,76,73, 76 (Gross: 306)
Ronald Rugumayo 79, 76, 75, 76 (Gross: 306)
Ronnie King Bukenya 72,75,77,85 (Gross:309)
Adolf Muhumuza 82,77,72,75 (Gross: 309)
Top 10 Professionals:
Vincent Byamukama 67,68,75,74 (284)
Richard Ainley 71,71,74,74 (290)
Deo Akope 73,70,78,73 (291)
Simon Ngigi 74,70,78,73 (295)
Dismas Ndiza 75,73, 75,74 (297)
Ian Odokonyero 70,78,71,79 (298)
Ernst Ndayisenga 77,73,73,76 (299)
David Odiahmbo 72,71,83,75 (301)
Matilo O 77,73,77,75 (302)
Opio Onito 71,77,78, 76 (302)
Subsidiary Group:
Over all Nett Winner: Otim Nickson 146 Nett
1st Runner-up: Ivan Mwebaze 151 (Count-Back)
2nd Runner up: Kato Ssebale 151 (Count-Back)
3rd Runner Up: Joseph Galiwango 151 (Count-Back)
Overall Gross Winner: Timothy Okwir 173 Gross
Winner Net Main Open: Dennis Kabarira, H/c 7, 290 (Nett)
1st Runner Up: Abraham Ainamani H/C 6, 294 (Nett)
2nd Runner Up: Edwin Okong h/c 7, 299 (Nett)
Best Hole 18 Winners:
Day 1 Patrick Mwaka 72 gross
Day 2: Joseph Mwanje 72 gross
Day 3: Adolf Muhumuza 72 gross
Day 4: Phillip Kasozi 76 gross
Piga Mingi Award: George Bagambisa 99,99,101,104(Gross: 403)
