Asiimwe/Lwanga match on as Entebbe Match-Play enters the penultimate stage

Vincent Asiimwe/Emmanuel Lwanga registered the biggest score of the day, a 4&3 (by four holes with three to go) victory over William Esuma/Anne Abeja during the Stanbic Entebbe Match Play quarter-finals at Entebbe Club on Saturday.

The event that started in March has now entered the penultimate stage after the weekend action with only four teams left in the main competition.

Asiimwe says he drove and putt well, got to the greens early, and had a good partner who complemented him very well.

The different winners from the subsidiary event pose with their trophies after the quarter finals at the Entebbe course. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

“The first nine was a bit tricky my partner was a bit tired so I had to calm myself down so that he also didn’t upset me,” Asiimwe said.

“But in this tournament when you realise that your partner is off encourage him until he wakes up, and he did on the back nine. I handled the first nine and he finished off the job on the back nine,”.

Asiimwe/Lwanga were four-up crossing to the back nine a lead they held on to up to hole 15, with three holes to go.

Vincet Asiimwe chips from a bunker on hole 12 during the quarter finals of the Stanbic Match-Play Golf Challenge at Entebbe Club course. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

“Now that we are through to the semifinals we know that as it gets higher it gets harder because everyone now prepares to win. So we are going to work even harder, prepare better, and try to practice more so that that time finds us with any excuses,” Asiimwe stated

“But it is exciting to enter the semis. My partner was a bit panicky, but I told him we should base on what they do and improve it. But being in the quarter-finals had already given me the courage to go for it. So I’m prepared and believe that I should do better even in the semis of course through prayer as well,”

They will now face off with Tony Kisadha/Richard Mwami who eliminated Herbert Kamuntu/Stephen Ojambo;1up while Walter Tukahirwa/Lambert Tumwesigye who eliminated the ladies' pair of Peace Kabasweka/Harriet Kitaka will take on the only remaining ladies pair of Lillian Koowe/Joyce Kisembo who saw off Tony Ojok/Picole Lukyamuzi; 3&2.

Lillian Koowe chips from a bunker on hole 11 during the quarter finals of the Stanbic Match-Play Golf Challenge at Entebbe Club course. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Tukahirwa said they overcame tough and solid opponents after minimising the number of mistakes they could make, were comfortably leading 4-up by the 14th hole only to blink and give away the next three holes.

“That meant we played holes 17 and 18 under much pressure. But we hung in there remained steady and made it to the next round,” Tukahirwa noted.

“It was important for us to stay on the front foot and direct the pressure to them. I made some good putts Tumwesigye chipped in with good shots and that took us along the way up to the back nine.

He said they will from now on take it one shot at a time and lay a strategy for the next round.

Tumwesigye said it was good preparations that had helped them up to this level and that they will continue to play normally, stay calm and continue fighting as a team.

Tony Kisadha/Richard Mwami bundled out Herbert Kamuntu/Stephen Ojambo; 1up in a match that went all the way up to the 18th hole.

Lambert Tumwesigye (left) and Walter Tukahiirwa (center) celebrate with one of their caddies after their match against Peace Kabasweka/Harriet Kitaka during the quarter finals of the Stanbic Match-Play Golf Challenge at Entebbe Club course. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

“We have been in such positions before so I knew how to handle the pressure,” Mwami said of his winning putt on the 18th. “I was pumped up for it,” he said.

“This is my second time at this stage so we are looking to come up with a better game and perhaps match on to the final, but we shall take it one step at a time,” Mwami stated.

“This was a hard match but our experience came to the fore, we kept it cool and always told ourselves never to give up. This is a big tournament and we look forward to our next opponents,” Kisadha chipped in.

Match play results

Vincent Asiimwe/Emmanuel Lwanga bt William Esuma/Anne Abeja; 4&3

Tony Kisadha/Richard Mwami bt Herbert Kamuntu/Stephen Ojambo; 1up

Walter Tukahiirwa/Lambert Tumwesigye bt Peace Kabasweka/Harriet Kitaka; 1up

Lillian Koowe/Joyce Kisembo bt Tony Ojok/Picole Lukyamuzi; 3&2

Subsidiary results

Group A - Men

Bruce Aijuka 38 pts c/b

Serwano Walusimbi 38 pts

Group B

Milton Edimu 44 pts

Philimond Akatuhuriira 40

Group C

Ivan Dushime 45

Horace Rwakabureete 39

Group A - Ladies

Venessa Peris 37 pts

Martha   Babirye 37

Group B

Peace Hellen 39 pts

Charity Tushabomwe 37c/b

Longest drive

Paul Kalemba

Martha Babirye

Nearest to the pin

Jerry Owachi

Ruth Mugisha