Kirarira, Aganyira top the Entebbe MTN Tee of Tees Monthly Tournaments

Saidi Kirarira carded an overall 543 nett from his best eight rounds in the season to top the MTN Monthly Tees tournament order of merit as the monthly competitions ended at Entebbe Club on Saturday.

Kirarira, who plays off handicap 11, edged Arthur Arinaitwe to the overall prize of a spare parts voucher worth sh1m and a duffel bag by six strokes as he bagged back-to-back Order of Merit victories in addition to last year’s triumph.

Mathias Kalule, who wrapped up the season by winning the men’s Group C action with 66nett in Saturday’s action, finished second overall, having edged Musa Baguma on count-back. Ssubi Kiwanuka was fifth overall with 565nett.

“The scores I got this year, I think, are slightly higher than the ones for last year. So, it's been a battle of consistency in this game. But I'm glad that I emerged as the best at the end of the year,” Kirarira said.

The top ten ladies in the order of merit pose with sponsors; representatives. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

“I practiced a lot throughout the season as I looked for consistency, and I think that helped a lot and has also helped me to be consistent throughout my game. I play usually twice a week, and if I manage to get time off work, I also hit the range once in a while,” Kirarira stated.

Esther Aganyira’s consistency over the 11 months of competition was also outstanding, helping her to a top-place finish after she amassed 537 nett from her best eight. She finished ahead of Peace Hellen (543), Edith Wamalwa (561), Maxi Byenkya (566), and Rukia Nalwoga, who finished in fifth with 570 nett.

“The season was lovely. But I can't say I targeted to win. I was just playing for fun until August, when I accumulated about 7 good rounds, and then I started feeling like I needed to get a best 8,” Aganyira noted.

“That month I was able to score under par, and that brought me to the top three positions. It pushed me on to continue competing.” Aganyira, who only started golf over a year ago in the same monthly tournament, has since enjoyed her career and had a lot of fun in the MTN Tees monthly competition. 

“I have fallen in love with the monthly competitions, and I hope to continue participating even in the coming year. My strength in the game is taking it easy; I just come to enjoy it, and I'm not so competitive.  I just enjoy the good and bad shots; I'm never serious, and that's how it somehow gives me success, because I don't swear at the bad shots as some people do. Aganyira now aims to play more consistently, frequently learning so she can further lower her handicap (27).

“Each time you play, you must learn a lesson either from a caddy, from the people you're playing with, or from people just discussing, or from people who have been to the range, and from some online videos.

Top five Order of Merit

Saidi Kirarira 543nett

Arthur Arinaitwe 549

Mathias Kalule 557c/b

Musa Baguma 557

Ssubi Kiwanuka 565

Top five-ladies

Esther Aganyira 537nett

Peace Hellen 543

Edith Wamalwa 561

Maxi Byenkya 566

Rukia Nalwoga 570

November Mug

Overall winner

Barbara Kiwanuka 64nett

Group A

Allan Muhereza 68nett

Ronnie Kasirye 73

Group B

Philemon Akatuhurira 67

Collins Nuwagira 68c/b

Group C

Mathias Kalule 66

Lloyd Busulwa 67c/b

Ladies Group A

Rita Apell 73

Rukia Nalwoga 74

Group B

Charity Tushabomwe 70

Peace Hellen 72

Seniors

Tony Kisadha 71

Guest winner

Ntombi Kejem 55

Longest drive

Peter Magona

Peace Hellen

Nearest to the pin

Ivan Ssetimba

Martha Babirye