Golfers Baguma, Mawa top Onito memorial tourney

Jan 16, 2016

Baguma only recently graduated to the senior national team and won the East African Challenge with them.

 

JINJA - Toro Club golfer and national team player Daniel Baguma returned 145 gross over 36 holes to win the Castle Lite Onito Memorial Golf Tournament at Jinja Clu on Friday.

The 19-year-old Toro Golf Club member scored one-under par 71 on the first 18 holes before crowning it with two-over-par 74, registering nine birdies en-route to winning his second major title since winning the Mukwano Open in 2013.

Baguma, who started playing in 2011, and played for the national junior side for four years (2011-2014), becomes the second Toro Club golfer to win the tournament, after Lawrence Muhenda's victory in 2012.

"I'm excited about this win. It is a big motivator ahead of the new [golfing] year," he said.

"I feel I can play better from now on. I'm now focused on making it through the national team qualifiers later this month before I head to Nairobi to compete in the Muthaiga Open next month.

Baguma only recently graduated to the senior national team and won the East African Challenge with them.

He beat fellow club mate Adolf Muhumuza (148 gross) who finished second by three strokes while Muhenda was third on 149 gross.

 eanwhile inja lubs aidi awa carded 140 gross to win the pros category redit ichael subuga Meanwhile Jinja Club's Saidi Mawa carded 140 gross to win the pro's category. (Credit: Michael Nsubuga)

 

Another national team player, Ronnie Bukenya, was fourth while defending champion Grace Kasango finished  a distant fifth, 12 strokes off, blaming his below par performance on inactivity.

"I had taken long without playing and only trained for three days before the tournament but I'm going to work hard to ensure I make it through the national team qualifiers."

Meanwhile Jinja Club's Saidi Mawa will claim the biggest share of the professionals' sh7m purse after carding 140 gross to win the pro's category.

Mawa scored four-under par to edge out another Jinja Club product Brian Toolit by three strokes, vowing to win more tournaments this year.

"It wasn't easy but my hard work has paid off. I have been hitting 600 balls on the range every day and this time I'm very serious and want to win more tournaments," said Mawa.

Entebbe golfers Silver Opio and George Olayo were third and fourth respectively while another Jinja golfer Ian Odokonyero finished fifth overall.

The Jinja course was equally busy on Saturday, with the rest of the amateur golfers including ladies contesting in other categories of the event.

 

Top 5 (Handicap 0-5)

Daniel Baguma 71+74 145

Adolf Muhumuza 72+76 148

Lawrence Muhenda 74+75 149

Ronnie Bukenya 77+74 151

Grace Kasango 75+82 157

Professionals (Top 5)

Saidi Mawa 69+71 140

Brian Toolit 70+73 143

Silver Opio 72+73 145

George Olayo 70+76 146

Ian Odokonyero 72+74 146

 

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