Bagalana determined to win Onito Memorial golf tournament

Abbey Bagalana is determined to extend the form that saw him win the Eskom tournament last year, to the 9th edition of the Onito memorial golf tournament due at Jinja Club on Saturday.

Bagalana who finished third in the gross category the last time the tournament was held in 2014, believes he is in better shape to win this time because of his knowledge of the course.

"That is my home ground and having won the Eskom tournament on that ground last year, I feel can make it as I look forward to turning pro," Bagalana said.

Winning the Eskom tournament took Bagalana places, for tournaments around East Africa which was a major confidence booster for which he looks to build on.

He will be up against 2014 champion Grace Kasango, runner up Joseph Mawejje and couple of 'home based' players and other players from different clubs around the country in the 'season opener' that wasn't played last year because of a change in the sponsors'owners.

The sh70m Castle Lite sponsored tournament tees off on Friday with the professionals and gross players battling it out in a 36-hole contest.

Defending Champion Fred Wanzala will lead the sh7m battle for the professionals alongside Deo Akope, George Olayo, Vincent Byamukama and Brian Toolit who were the top performes in 2014.

Opio Onito and Grace Ocici sons to the late Sadi Onito in whose memory the tournament is played will also be in the fray alongside national amateur team golfers that include Ronald Otile, Ronnie Bukenya, Deco Mutebi, Lawrence Muhenda, Adolf Muhumuza and Becca Mwanja among others.