Kasozi bags first Kinyara Golf Open championship on home turf

National golf team player Joseph Kasozi carded an overall three-over 216 after 54 holes to win his first Kinyara Golf Open Championship title on home turf, at the second attempt.

The -3 handicapper beat his closest challenger, Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa’s Ivan Ssekulima, by 11 shots to pocket sh1.32 million (33%) of the sh4 million prize money for amateur golfers in the 26th edition of the annual event, which attracted 136 players in all categories at the par-71 nine-hole course.

Despite an interruption of rain after the first 27 holes, Kasozi notched 13 birdies overall over the three rounds to win at the course where he began his career in 2017.

Gross category ladies winner Lillian Koowe celebrates with a traditional dance after the Kinyara Golf Open at Kinyara Golf Club in Masindi. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

“The course was challenging, and we were disturbed by the rain, which caused us to abandon the course after 27 holes because of flooded greens. But we managed to complete the following day. I was lucky because I started the first nine holes very well with good putting on the relatively better greens than last year,” noted Kasozi, who is based in Kampala.

“I was also driving well. Unfortunately, I broke my driver along the way, but I didn’t lose hope. I just switched to my irons and decided to rely on my experience,” stated Kasozi, a member of Kinyara.

He said he already had a feeling he could win it because he was in better shape, and none of his opponents, in the absence of defending champion Joseph Cwinya-ai, had played as much golf as he had this year in different locations in and outside the country.

“But it’s a good feeling to win on my home course and get crowned.”

Equity-NARO Open champion Abdullah Kakooza from Namulonge finished third overall, while Tooro Club’s Simon Busingye and Christopher Basaliza tied for fourth. Entebbe Club’s Godfrey Kambale and Samuel Bazaale, as well as Lira Golf Club’s Tonny Ochen, tied for sixth.

Tooro Club’s Lillian Koowe (78 gross) edged Judith Komugisha by a stroke to top the ladies' category.

Group A ladies winner Laura Natukunda receives her prizes from ICEA's Emmanuel Mwaka after the Kinyara Golf Open. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

In the professionals’ category, Grace Kasango carded one-over 143 gross over 36 holes to edge Namulonge’s Tom Jjingo by two strokes, winning the biggest share of the UGX 10 million (sh2 million) prize money.

This was Kasango’s third career win, in addition to the UGC Ladies Open earlier this year, since turning pro in 2021. It was also his second Kinyara triumph, following his victory on the same course in 2022.

The towering long hitter notched five birdies, four of which came in the first round, and an eagle on the par-5 hole 18 in the last round, over the two rounds to atone for last year’s miss when he failed to make the cut.

“This is a good hunting ground for me because I even told the club captain that I was coming to win. I’m excited to have won it because I missed the cut last year, and this has now given me momentum for the next event at Kitante next month,” Kasango said.

The three-day annual tournament was sponsored by Kinyara Sugar and a host of insurance companies, including ICEA, Sanlam, Goldstar Insurance, UAP Old Mutual, MUA, and the LIAISON Group.

Top ten (Gross players)

Joseph Kasozi 73 70 73 216

Ivan Ssekulima 76 75 76 227

Abdullah Kakooza 75 76 81 232

Christopher Basaliza 74 77 82 233

Godfrey Kambale 88 73 73 234

Samuel Bazaale 79 80 75 234

Tonny Ochen 77 79 78 234

Abubakari Toko 82 76 79 237

Andrew Oketi 77 84 75 237

Ian Kalema 79 79 80 239

Ladies: Top 5

Lillian Koowe 78

Laura Natukunda 84

Angel Kaya 91

Prossy Zawedde 92

Bridget Basiima 77

Group B

Concepta Namutebi 68nett

Caroline Amayo 68

Angelina Tendo 73

Subsidiary Men: Group A

Jimmy Matata 69nett

Dennis Aguma 71

Simon Onadra 71

Group B

Francis Diku 70

William Drapari 70

Godwin Okumu 71

Group C

Joel Apangu 70

Percy Mpuuga 71

Godfrey Okot 72

Seniors

Grace Obua 87

Jill Pinda 88

Seniors-Men

C.D Langoya 64

Bernard Amwine 75

Emmanuel Arima 82