Kasaija Win Fires Up Ugandans
Sep 23, 2002
STEPHEN Kasaija’s Tanzania Open victory on Sunday marks a major triumph for a Ugandan golfer in the east African region in over two decades.
By William Muwonge
Leader board-top 5
Kasaija (Uga) 74 73 68 75 290
S. Sanga (Tz) 75 69 74 76 294
Akope (Uga) 76 72 75 72 295
Timbe (Ken) 69 78 75 74 296
Mollel (Tz) 78 76 73 70 297
STEPHEN Kasaija’s Tanzania Open victory on Sunday marks a major triumph for a Ugandan golfer in the east African region in over two decades.
The win, at the Arusha Gymkhana Club, is a perfect reward for a player whose game has improved greatly since 1999.
Kasaija, 28, claimed his first major title after two close attempts at the Uganda Open over the last two years.
Kasaija’s win provided solace to the seven other Ugandans who also made a debut at Tanzania’s premier golf event. They entered the event crestfallen after losing the East African Challenge Cup.
Tanzania won the Challenge Cup held before the Tanzania Open, taking over from Uganda, the winners in Kampala last year.
Kasaija acted more less like a professional which earned him a huge following at the Arusha event.
The champion rose from joint third position after Thursday’s opening, went joint top on Friday before making the decisive break on Saturday.
Kasaija’s score of 68 on Saturday, the best single round of the event, put him three strokes ahead.
The champion extended his lead to eight strokes after posting five-under-par 31 on front nine on Sunday.
A brief putting problem cut his lead to five strokes after a triple bogey on number ten and a bogey on the next hole.
Tanzania’s Stanley Sanga settled for second position while Uganda’s champion Deo Akope came third after a brilliant late charge.
Uganda’s other players — Charles Yokwe, Denis Anguyo, George Olayo, Ronald Kidega, John Lago and John Basabose were just outside the top ten.
Last year’s champion Olais Mollel was fifth overall.
In Kampala, the focus is on the 54-hole Uganda Ladies Open that starts on Friday. Caltex Oil Uganda are sponsoring the event at sh13.5m.
Ends
Leader board-top 5
Kasaija (Uga) 74 73 68 75 290
S. Sanga (Tz) 75 69 74 76 294
Akope (Uga) 76 72 75 72 295
Timbe (Ken) 69 78 75 74 296
Mollel (Tz) 78 76 73 70 297
STEPHEN Kasaija’s Tanzania Open victory on Sunday marks a major triumph for a Ugandan golfer in the east African region in over two decades.
The win, at the Arusha Gymkhana Club, is a perfect reward for a player whose game has improved greatly since 1999.
Kasaija, 28, claimed his first major title after two close attempts at the Uganda Open over the last two years.
Kasaija’s win provided solace to the seven other Ugandans who also made a debut at Tanzania’s premier golf event. They entered the event crestfallen after losing the East African Challenge Cup.
Tanzania won the Challenge Cup held before the Tanzania Open, taking over from Uganda, the winners in Kampala last year.
Kasaija acted more less like a professional which earned him a huge following at the Arusha event.
The champion rose from joint third position after Thursday’s opening, went joint top on Friday before making the decisive break on Saturday.
Kasaija’s score of 68 on Saturday, the best single round of the event, put him three strokes ahead.
The champion extended his lead to eight strokes after posting five-under-par 31 on front nine on Sunday.
A brief putting problem cut his lead to five strokes after a triple bogey on number ten and a bogey on the next hole.
Tanzania’s Stanley Sanga settled for second position while Uganda’s champion Deo Akope came third after a brilliant late charge.
Uganda’s other players — Charles Yokwe, Denis Anguyo, George Olayo, Ronald Kidega, John Lago and John Basabose were just outside the top ten.
Last year’s champion Olais Mollel was fifth overall.
In Kampala, the focus is on the 54-hole Uganda Ladies Open that starts on Friday. Caltex Oil Uganda are sponsoring the event at sh13.5m.
Ends