Day 1 leaders: Peter Ssendawula – 68 (Gross)-Amateurs & Vicent Byamukama – 67 (Gross) – Pros
Day 2 leaders: Robert Oluba 71 (Gross)-Amateurs & Vicent Byamukama – 69 (Gross)-Pros
Day 3 Leaders: Willy Kitata 70 (Gross)-Amateurs & Ian Odokonyero -71 (Gross)-Pros
Subsidiary: Day 1, M.Z Kitta (73)
When action unfolded at the 71st Edition of the prestigious Uganda Golf Open on Wednesday morning at the par 71 picturesque lake side Entebbe golf course, many surprises as well as clear cut results were expected.
“The Uganda Golf Open is no other competition, expect serious hurdles, pressure and definitely challenges”, remarked the day one leader, Ssendawula, who also won in 2010.
By 8:00 a.m on day one, the group of former open champions, Peter Ssendawula (2009), Rogers Byaruhanga (2011) and Phillip Kasozi (2012) was already on the fairways.
Day two brought forth its our surprises, as Robert Oluba, who fired 72, one par over on the opening day returned a decent Par Score on the tricky Entebbe Course by the close of business on day two. Oluba, thus gained joint leadership with the day one leader, Ssendawula of the grueling 4 day National Open.(Ssendawula still leads with 216 , 2 strokes better than 2).
Home boy, Willy Kitata, who was highly, tipped prior the event eventually, rose from the shell with 70, one under score on day. Kitata had been quite silent the opening two rounds after returning two over on the opening day (73) and performing worse on day two with 75.
Like expected, intense pressure has built over the pressure group. A large crowd was moving along the pressure group and at one moment, the players could feel the tension.
Lugazi based dreadlocked golfer, Ronnie King Bukenya faulted where it mattered most on the oldest course in East Africa (founded in 1901) that shares its boundary with the Uganda Wildlife Animals’ sanctuary, UWEC. Bukenya was penalised for holding on the ball way after being declared a drop ball, something which made him furious and lost on the concentration of his game.
Perhaps, there is still a lot to play for as the Open is set to run for 4 complete days, playing 72 holes in whole. By day 2, Patrick Mwaka had returned 147, 4 strokes below the joint leaders while Lugazi based dreadlocked golfer , Ronnie King Bukenya and Willy Kitata lay 5 strokes over the leading pack.
Home boy Henry Lujja was on 149 tied with Joseph Mwanje while Okwong is 7th on 151 gross after two days.
“I will play catch up, I enjoy playing that game because it relieves me off that pressure that comes along with leading”, says Kasozi, winner in the 2012 event.
In the professional category, Vicent ‘Arali’Byamukama consolidated on his day one victory following a 69 two par lead on day two and 75 on day two. By day 3, Byamukama had established a four stroke lead over second placed Richard Ainley (214 over 3 days) and a 7 stroke difference over the third placed Deo Akope (217).
The Pros will battle for the 30 Million staked by the sponsors, Uganda Breweries Limited as Prize money.UBL injected in a whopping Ug shs.100 million to run the entire event.
As it stands, the writing is on the wall, the champion for the 2013 event is far from being determined.
Off the course, Entebbe Golf Club will be credited for the ultimate organization of the biggest Tournament on Uganda’s Golf Calendar.
The cool breeze off Lake Victoria naturally aerates the course, the unique roars of the lion, the singing birds and the monkey chants would dominate the tranquil woods of the Course, situated on close to 90 hectares of land.
This 4 day long tourney concludes on Saturday with a special award giving ceremony at the famed 19th hole.
The Leader Board (After 3 Days):
Amateurs:
1-Peter Ssendawula (216)
2-Willy Kitata (218)
3-Henry Lujja (219)
4-Robert Oluba (221)
5-Ronnie King Bukenya (224)
6-Patrick Mwaka (225)
7-Dan Baguma (225)
8-Happy Robert (229)
9-Ronald Rugumayo (230)
10-Ronald Otile (230)
Professionals:After Three Days
Vicent Byamukama (210), Richard Ainley (214), Deo Akope (217), Ian Odoknyero (219), Dismas Ndiza (221), Simon Ngigi (222), Ernest Ndayisenga (223), J.W Karanja (223), Opio Onito (226), Fred Wanzala (226), Herman Mutawe (226).
Subsidiary:Day one (Friday Results)
Kitta M.Z (73), Kato Ssebale (75),Peter Robson (75), Timothy Okwir (75), G.Byamugisha (77), Ram Shaban (77), Saidi Nkusi (79)
Some of the Past Uganda Golf Open Winners:
2006 Amos Kamya
2007 Nicholas Rokoine
2008 George Olayo
2009 Peter Ssendaula
2010 Brian Mwesigwa
2011 Rogers Byaruhanga
2012 Philip Kasozi
2013 ????
