Muhamood, Ochieng top Mbale Golf Open

Jinja Golf Club's Ismail Muhamood returned 75 gross to win the Mbale Open as golf action returned to Mbale after 22 years of inactivity.

Michael Ochieng's net score of 74 was also good enough to help him win the overall net prize in the one-day tournament at the par 72 course.

Veteran golfer George Magombe (80nett) beat Francis Ssuna to the top trophy on count-back, just like Ssuna did to Joseph Mawejje, who finished third in the group.

James Okoboi, David Ojambo and Bulasio Wadada were the top performers in Group B while David Odeke, Godwin Khisa and Charles Kabunga were the best in Group C in the tournament that attracted eight golfers from Kenya's Kakamega Golf Club.

The rest were from Jinja, Entebbe and Kinyara.

Beatrice Bisonga and Lydia Oketch were the top actors in the ladies category.

"We are glad the course has officially been reopened and land grabbers have been put on notice that the land is a golf course and not available for private developers," said Uganda Golf Union (UGU) president Johnson Omolo.

"More work is needed to rebuild the reclaimed land bordering three fairways into proper fairways."

Former UGU president John Kisembo, who was the guest of honour, appealed to Mbale Golf Club members to remain united and carry on the redevelopment of the course.

Over sh4m was pledged by the golfers towards the continued refurbishment of the course.

OVERALL WINNERS

Gross: Ismail Muhamood 75

Nett: Michael Ochieng 74

Group A

George Magombe 80c/b nett

Francis Ssuuna 80c/b

Joseph Mawejje 80

Group B

James Okoboi 74c/b

David Ojambo 74

Bulasio Wadada 75

Group C

David Odeke 81

Godwin Khisa 82

Charles Kabunga 83

Ladies

Beatrice Bisonga 80nett

Lydia Oketch 82