Teenager Deco Mutebi and Pro Wanzala smile big at the ESKOM golf tourney in Jinja

10^th Eskom Golf Open Champions:

• Amateurs: Herman Deco Mutebi  – 78, 67 (145)
• Professionals: Fred Wanzala – 75, 75 (148)

Entebbe based teenager Herman Deco Mutebi boldly underlined his status among the top amateur golfers in the country with the treasured ESKOM golf success in Jinja.

Mutebi, 17, returned an incredible 5 under par 67 score on the picturesque lake side Jinja course that included 4 birdies and 1 eagle on hole 8.

He recovered from a 6 over par 78 gross on the opening round that was taken by Fort Portal based golfer Edwin Okwong on 74.

On the closing round, Mutebi was calm to topple the pressure group of Becca Mwanja, Grace Kasango and Ismail Mahmoodu.

He confessed to the 19^th hole gallery during the official prize giving ceremony that the success after 3 years of finishing second spells a new lease of life;

As quoted by Daily Monitor, Mutebi said;

This title is going to change my golf career forever. I have been a bit unlucky to finish as runner-up in the last three years.

Now my dreams are going to come true with this sponsorship. I am hopeful this will inspire me to do well in the upcoming Victoria Cup against Kenya and the Uganda Open.

I will continue to work hard. I have to work on the consistency of my scores. There is no resting. I want to make the people that have been supporting me since I was a youngster happy.

I dedicate my award to them.

The teenager now claims his second major championship after the Entebbe Open.

He was awarded with a glittering trophy, new golf kit and a one-year sponsorship package worth Shs20M courtesy of Eskom Uganda.

Toro Club members Adolf Muhumuza and Edrine Okong were second and third respectively.

Meanwhile, Fred Wanzala, a born and bred Jinja professional, though now working at the lavish Serena Lake Victoria Golf Club as the home pro won the money paid bracket.

Wanzala’s ESKOM victory arrives weeks after clinching the top honour at the highly publicized Singleton Challenge.

The diminutive pro golfer returned 73 on day before winding up with 74 gross on day two to win the professional event where Shs10M was available for those who made the cut.

Home boys Emmanuel Opio Onito and the towering Brian Toolit followed suit.

Uganda Golf Club’s Dennis Anguyo, Entebbe’s Peter Sendaula and Uganda Professional Golfers’ Association president Deo Akope made the cut in the closely contested affair on the 9 hole course.

Uganda Golf Union sanctioned the event.

Focus and attention swiftly turns to the 2^nd edition of the Victoria Cup that will be hosted at Entebbe Club early July.

Uganda and Kenya amateur golfers lock horns in the cup.

Last year’s inaugural edition was won by Kenya at the Muthiaga Golf Club.

2017 Eskom Open Leaderboard

Amateurs (Best 3):

• Herman Deco Mutebi – 78, 67 (145)
• Adolf Muhumuza – 75, 76 (151)
• Edrine Okong – 74, 81 (155)

Professionals (Best 6):

• Fred Wanzala – 73, 75 (148)
• Emmanuel Opio Onito – 75, 75 (150)
• Brian Toolit  – 77, 74 (151)
• Denis Anguyo – 74, 78 (152)
• Peter Ssendawula – 75, 78 (153)
• Deo Akope – 78, 75 (153)