Godwin Murungi and Hisae Koshiba carded 41 points each to top the men and ladies’ categories as the Kenya Day Golf Tournament ended at Kitante on Saturday.

Every year, Ugandan golfers join their Kenyan counterparts and the Kenyan community as they celebrate their Independence anniversary (Jamhuri Day) which falls on December 12.

Kenya High Commissioner to Uganda George Owino (left) and Kenya Airways' Kevin Owino hand over prizes to Godwin Murungi. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

This year’s golf day was the climax of different activities that included the Kenya diaspora day which involved an interaction between traders and businessmen as well as supporting a special needs school with a number of items like wheelchairs and diapers among other things.

Murungi notched eight pars on the day to register the biggest win of his career, coming on the back of several other podium finishes including the Seniors tournament in Entebbe early this year, the Captain’s Bell, and Singleton tournaments.

Owino and Kenya Airways' Kenneth Narisha (R) and Kevin Owino (L) hand over prizes to Hitae Koshiba (C) as Brig Charles Kahariri (3rd R) and UGC president Moses Matsiko look on.

“It feels good to be the overall winner and this is one of several others I have registered before but this is the biggest and I’m happy about it,” Murungi said.

For their feat, on top of trophies; Murungi and Koshiba won themselves air tickets to Mombasa courtesy of Kenya Airways.

George Owino and Maria Odido topped the diplomat’s category after playing 28 and 30 points respectively while Chris Mutegyeki (38pts) and Gertrude Acato (32pts) took the seniors’ prizes as Malcolm Ireland (41pts), Aurelia Alexis Akol (32pts) and Ethan Niragira excelled in the juniors’ category.

Earlier on Friday, Deco Mutebi had claimed his first win as a pro when he returned three-under 69 to beat over 25 professionals to the biggest payout of the sh6m prize money.

In the ladies’ category, Judith Komugisha was the star in the one-day event, not only winning Group A with her 37 points but also taking the longest drive prize. Mckline Nsenga trailed her by one point.

Doreen Mwesigye and Gertrude Kityo were the best players in Groups B and C where Ruth Ssali and Eve Araduha were runners respectively.

The military category that pitted the Uganda People's Defence Forces against their Kenyan counterparts was won by the Kenya defence forces golfers; 273-239 points.

The Kenya High Commission also planted 200 trees around the course on the day as part of their greening and preserving the environment which is one of the pillars of diplomacy in their Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Overall winners

Men: Godwin Murungi 41pts

Ladies: Hisae Koshiba 41

Diplomats’ category

Men: George Owino 28

Ladies: Maria Odido 30

Military Category

Kenya Defence Forces 273

UPDF 239pts

Military Lady: Mercy Kinyanjui 35

Military men

Joseph Waigwa 39pts

Kevin Owino 38pts

Don Tororei 37pts

Seniors

Chris Mutegyeki 38c/b

Gertrude Acato 32

Juniors

Malcolm Ireland 41pts

Aurelia Alexis Akol 34

Ethan Niragira 33

Professionals

Deco Mutebi 69gross

Guest winners

Rodney Turyatemba 44pts

Faith Namara 34pts

Nearest to the pin

Joseph Waigwa

Judith Komugisha

Longest drive

Paul Rukundo

Anne Abeja

Group A-Men

John Musimenta 38pts

Peter Tumusiime 37

Group B

Hillary Ndugutse 40

Denis Kunikina 39

Group C

Derrick Muhumuza 40

Emmanuel Mwaka 37

Group A-Ladies

Judith Komugisha 37

Mckline Nsenga 36

Group B

Doreen Mwesigye 32pts

Ruth Ssali 27

Group C

Gertyrude Kityo 35

Eve Araduha 32