3rd -5th October 2013
Uganda Ladies Golf Open:
At Entebbe Golf Club
For the umpteenth time in the year 2013, Entebbe Golf Club is yet again hosting a major golfing championship with the prestigious Uganda Ladies Open.
Obvious reasons ranging from the ultimate internal organization of the club, the course and all the necessary ingredients of a great host have beyond doubt convinced the Uganda Golf Union to enable the Par 71 Golf Course, situated on the edges of Africa’s greatest fresh water body, Lake Victoria, to host such tournaments have been considered.
The undulating course terrain itself is a real menace to many golfers, but the quality of the playing surface has often left many awed. George Olayo, a member of Entebbe Golf Club, who is also a professional golfer is the chief green keeper of the course.
Mere mention of the tag ‘George Olayo’ strikes a chord at the memory of that famous 2008 Uganda Open where his 292 gross mark elevated to the professional ranks of Uganda’s Golf. Olayo who was 2 shots better than Tanzanian Hassan Kadio has never looked back since then, and today, he smiles boldly as he goes along his duties of maintaining East Africa’s oldest Golf Course (founded in 1901).
“I have dedicated all my efforts to serving the well being of the greens on the Entebbe Golf Course. Perhaps, we face the challenge of ants that bring about anti-hills on the course and the greens.”, he tells Kawowo Sports in an exclusive interview.
Olayo states that with diligence and cooperation from the entire Entebbe Club Executive, the course is primed for a far greater and beautiful appearance.
“Believe me, when the plan for this course in the next 5-10 years materializes, it will be the most beautiful and loved course not only in Uganda but the whole of Africa”, he says of the course with the longest Par 3’s and 4’s in the country.
Over the years, the Course has already hosted several local and Uganda Golf Union Events like the prestigious East African Golf Challenge (played in 2008) , two Uganda Opens (latest won by Peter Ssendawula), the Chairman’s Putter, the Mags and the 2013 Ladies Open, which Monica Ntege led the opening day (currently going into the second day on 4th October, 2013), among many others.
For Olayo, maintaining the greens at Entebbe Golf Course, its just his customary task and he is delighted to be doing a job he cherishes a lot.
About Olayo:
Full Names: George Olayo
Residence: Nkumba, along Entebbe Road
Date of Birth: 19th January 1971
Parents: Tito Maira (R.I.P) and Kisembo Valentine
Education: Bugonga Boys Primary School, Entebbe
Happiest Moment: Winning the Uganda Golf Open (in 2008)
Golf Career: 1983 as Caddie, Amateur (1998), National Team (2001-2008) and Joined Pro Ranks in 2008
Best Course: Kampala Golf Course
Most Challenging Courses: Kilembe and Entebbe Golf Courses
Best Golfers: Deo Akope, Flavia Namakula and Tiger Woods
