Onito family affair

Nov 10, 2003

THE Sadi Onito family gave Ugandan golf another first — a father versus son contest for the game’s most prestigious title at the weekend.

By Douglas Mazune

Leader board-top 5
C. Yokwe 73 67 76 69 285
D. Akope 72 73 69 73 287
S. Onito 72 74 74 73 293
Byaruhanga74 72 74 73 293
S. Kamau 77 75 73 75 300

THE Sadi Onito family gave Ugandan golf another first — a father versus son contest for the game’s most prestigious title at the weekend.

After three days of stunning golf, with father Onito first playing a course par and son Charles Yokwe responding with a five under-par performance, day four presented a memorable pressure group.

Yokwe survived the pressure with father looking on for a memorable, but also emotional 2003 Uganda Open Golf tournament victory.

“I had a feeling that if I play with my father I would win. It has come true,” triumphant Yokwe told The New Vision after hugging his father.

Hitherto written off by many, the Onitos defied their critics right from the opening round of the 72-hole prestigious tournament that had a strong field from Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda.

The first sign it would be another ‘Onito year’ came when the 12-time winner fired an opening round 72 to share second position with Deo Akope.

“Mzee is on form,” Yokwe told anyone who could listen.

The second day belonged to Yokwe and it was the father’s turn to praise the son. “Yokwe has 67 today,” Sadi proclaimed.

Even after a nightmarish four over par 76 on day three that left Yokwe two strokes adrift, he insisted his challenge in the Alam Group of Companies sponsored event was not only charging Akope, but hole 11, which he triple bogeyed.

Yokwe had however earlier drawn first blood by going level with his opponent after he birdies on the first two holes. Akope sunk pars.
Yokwe then built a four-stroke lead after the front nine and consolidated it for his first victory in the Uganda Open.

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