Tumusiime tops NCBA Golf Series qualifier at Kitante

Budding golfer Peter Tumusiime will play in the Grand Final of the NCBA Golf Series after topping the first of two qualifying events in Uganda at Kitante on Saturday.

Playing off scratch, Tumusiime, 22, who last weekend hit a hole-in-one on the same course during the Kamuntu memorial, and spiced his round with an eagle on the par-4 hole-16, was still in fine form to beat over 200 golfers that turned up for the one-day event.

The second-year student who is pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration at YMCA is now planning to maintain the same momentum which he hopes can win him the Uganda Open next month. “The grind is good, I’m putting in the work, the effort, the time, and perseverance; it is a lot of work invested before this moment; so it is all about the people supporting me, the prayers; that is how I have come to win this one,” Tumusiime said.

“I have been grinding slowly under cover but not getting to the podium, but here I am. This might not be the first nor the last, there is much more to come,” Tumusiime said.

Tumusiime, who started playing golf at Tooro Golf Club in 2017 has won a couple of trophies before but regards Saturday’s victory as the biggest he has won since joining the Uganda Golf Club in 2020.

The different winners pose with their trophies after the tournament. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Joseph Cwinya-ai, Aggrey Mutaka, Judith Komugisha and Wendy Angudeyo and junior golfer Shaka Kariisa also made the final after producing the best men's and ladies' gross scores. The top six gross players from every qualifying event make it to the Grand Final.

Roger Byaruhanga who returned 80 gross with the ‘yellow ball’ also led his group that included John Katto, Raymond Kahigi and Joseph Kasozi to the podium.

On Saturday, golfers also planted over 100 trees on the course to support environmental sustainability.

The series is played over 25 tournaments spread on different courses across the East Africa region. Last year the event was played in Kenya and Uganda, while this year it has spread its wings to Tanzania and Rwanda. This was the first of two tournaments in Uganda with the other to be played in Entebbe.

The final will be played at Sigona Golf Club in December where the overall winners of that particular event will pocket sh2.5m each according to NCBA Managing Director Mark Muyobo.

“As a regional bank we want to ensure that we are able to connect the dots between all countries we are operating in and also to commit to you that we can offer financial solutions for you in the region,” Muyobo said.

Pepsi chairman Amos Nzeyi who was the chief guest lauded the sponsors for sponsoring a unique tournament that promotes health and the environment.

A number of NCBA bank top brass from Kenya and Tanzania branches that included Gift Shoko, Tyrus Mwithiga, and Charles Omondi graced the event.

Overall winner: Peter Tumusiime 69

Men’s Gross

Joseph Cwinya-ai 72

Aggrey Mutaka 76

Ladies Gross

Judith Komugisha 78

Wendy Angudeyo 79

Nett Category (Men): Lawrence Omony 66

Nett Categor (Ladies): Patricia Basaza 68

Longest drives

Titus Okwong

Sarah Nduhukire

Nearest to the pin: Raymond Kahigi

Staff winner: Gift Shoko 99gross

Junior winner: Shaka Kariisa 90

Guest winner: Joseph Kasozi 76

Moneyball winner: Rogers Byaruhanga 80