Cwinyai excels at Venus open as Tusker Malt Golf series take shape
David GOMBE
The Tusker Malt Golf Series teed off on a high at the Fort Portal greens of Toro Club with the Venus Open yesterday.
The Open is the genesis of a countrywide tour that is expected to traverse all parts of the country in a bid to make golf more accessible and inclusive. It is also a build up to the annual Tusker Malt Uganda Golf Open.
The Open saw two-time Tusker Malt Golf Open champion, Joseph Cwinyai top the day winning the Men’s Gross category after carding 70 while Judith Komugisha and Lilian Koowe walked away as Gross Winner Ladies with a score of 75 and 84 respectively.
Golfing couple Charles and Edrea Kagombe were the top Seniors with Charles scoring 71 net in Men’s category while Edrea scored 75 in the Ladies’ category.
Speaking to the media about the series, Tusker Malt Regional Sales Manager, Jasper Otim emphasized the brand’s position on golf and why the series is very important.
“I am very excited about this series. The Open is all that we hoped it would be and this is just the beginning. The vision is to make golf more accessible to people and more inclusive so that everyone that has passion for the game can play,” he said.
“It is tournaments like these that lay the groundwork toward what we are trying to achieve,” he added.
The night also included a prize giving ceremony at the 19th Hole that saw golfers and guests serenaded by a band which played tunes from Ugandan folk contemporary, RnB, Soul among others.
During the event, Bernard Baguma, Toro Club Captain expressed his gratitude towards the golfers and sponsors for the successful tournament.
“I cannot tell you how happy I am that we got to do this again and very successfully. Today’s tourney is one that we always look forward to on our calendar and the fact that we got to do it with Venus and Tusker Malt makes it all worthwhile,” he said.
“I want to thank members of the club, the golfers that came out to play,” he added.
Other winners include: Nsubuga Godfrey who won the prize for Men’s Longest Drive Janet Kabayonga for Ladies Longest Drive while Titus Okwong and Judith Komugisha took the prize for Men’s Nearest to the Pin and Ladies Nearest to the Pin respectively.
The next stop on the Tour is Lugazi with the Mehta Open that is expected to take place on March 18 and then to Arua City for the Arua Open that is slated to take place in June.
Other results:
Men’s Group A- Handicap 7-12: Winner – George Kahihura H/C 8 – 72, Runner Up – Emmanuel Komugisha H/C 7 – 72 and 1st Runner Up- Albert Mwebwe H/C 12 – 72
Men’s Group B- Handicap 13-18; Winner- Eriah Byaruhanga H/C – 15 – 72 Runner Up – Mutesasira Kitengo H/C 15 – 72 while 1st Runner Up – Andrew Isagara H/C 14 – 72
Men’s Group C-Handicap 19-28; Winner- Polly Rwandekeye H/c 28 – 70, Runner Up – Denning Yampa H/c 36 – 77 while 1st Runner Up- Masaba Brian H/c 22- 79
Ladies Group A – Handicap 0-18; Winner – Robin Angom H/C 14 – 75, Runner Up – Ann Abeja H/C 8 – 76
Ladies Group B- Handicap 19-28; Winner – Florah H/C 25 – 65 , Runner Up – Rossett Tuguma H/C -69
Ladies Group C-Handicap 29-39; Winner – Aisha Kamsime H_C 29 – 69, Runner Up
Senior’s Ladies -55+; Winner- Edrea Kagombe, Runner Up- Jill
Senior’s Men Age 55-65; Winner – Kagombe Charlse 71 net, Runner Up – Bwango Smart 73 Net
Men’s Longest Drive Nsubuga Godfrery
Ladies Longest Drive – Janet Kabayonga
Men’s Nearest to the Pin- Titus Okwong
Ladies Nearest to the Pin- Judith Komugisha