Muhwezi, Kabasweka top the first leg of the Katogo Invitational at Entebbe Club

Perez Muhwezi and Peace Kabasweka carded 71 and 78nett respectively, to top the first leg of the Entebbe Club I&M Katogo Invitational tournament in their respective categories on Saturday.

The first outing of the quarterly series was played under the ‘In Regulation’ format, which emphasised individual play with a requirement to land on the green in regulation.7

A missed regulation resulted in a penalty stroke, but scoring par or better on the hole negated the penalty.

Fresh from winning the Entebbe Ladies Open on the same course, there was no denying Kabasweka who plays off scratch, with her 7-over 78.

Sarah Nduhukire (right) receives her trophy after the first leg of the Entebbe Club I&M Katogo Invitational tournament. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

The average golfers were left to mourn the twist in the rules which is the tradition of this Katogo championship but the solid ones were able to walk away with exciting prizes from the galaxy of sponsors.

Muhwezi and Kabasweka and the top gross player Vincent Katutsi in particular won RwandAir tickets while the other top players in the men's and ladies’ groups A-C won dinners for two at Kampala Serena, a weekend for two at the Lake Victoria Serena on top of other goodies.

Paul Habyarimana, Brian Omeda, Omar Badreldin, Sarah Nduhukire, and Sharom Kayenje were the top winners in their respective that will enjoy the Serena packages.

I&M Bank Uganda executive director Sam Ntulume (left) hands over trophy to the gross winner Vincent Katutsi after the first leg of the Entebbe Club I&M Katogo Invitational tournament. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

The tournament wound up at the famous 19th hole where everyone won and where I&M Bank’s CEO Robin Bairstow thanked the co-sponsors and the golfers for embracing the event.

“We strongly believe in investing in sports that foster unity in the communities where we serve,” Bairstow said.

He reminded golfers that they would be celebrating fifty years and invited them to join the celebrations.

Every outing at this quarterly tournament has twists, and the second round to be held on June 29 will embrace pairs in the ‘Tee for Me’ format. Players will tee off at each hole, switching balls for the second shot. The net score determines the team score, with each pair designating six holes for individual play, counting the worst net score.

An even more challenging ‘Russian Chicago Stable Ford’ pairs event will happen on September 28 in the third round. In this one players accumulate individual points per hole, multiplying them for the team score. It will coincide with the I&M Bank's golden anniversary, which will be celebrated in the same month.

Perez Muhwezi (3rd left) and Peace Kabasweka (2nd right) receive their prizes from I&M Bank’s CEO Robin Bairstow (2nd left) and Katogo chairman Elly Kibuuka-Mukasa (right) after the first leg of the Entebbe Club I&M Katogo Invitational tournament, March 9, 2024. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

The final round’s ‘Double Bogey Danger’ format spices things up as players face consequences for scoring a double bogey or worse. Each instance leads to the decommissioning of a club, only restored with a subsequent par. This will be played on December 7 to wrap up the season, in the innovative play formats set to redefine the local golfing landscape.

Overall winners

Men: Perez Muhwezi 71nett

Ladies: Peace Kabasweka 78

Gross winner

Vincent Katutsi 81

Group A

Paul Habyarimana 76nett

Emmanuel Tayebwa 81c/b

Kin Karisa 81

Group B

Brian Omeda 71c/b

Collins Ancellam 71

Bruce Aijuka 72

Group C

Omar Badreldin 74

James Okema 78

Darwin Angudri 82

Ladies Group A

Sarah Nduhukire 80c/b

Melon Kyomugisha 80

Faith Namara 83

Group B

Shalom Kayenje 78

Dinah Angol Acen 84

Peace Hellen 85

Nearest to the pin

Peace Kabasweka

Lino Anguzu

Longest drive

Berna Musanabera

Darious Mugisha