Otile out to make history
Sep 20, 2011
SIXTEEN-year-old golfer Ronald Otile, a student of Mpanga SS in Fort Portal, could become the youngest player to win the Uganda Open that tees off tomorrow at Uganda Golf Club.
By Douglas Mazune
SIXTEEN-year-old golfer Ronald Otile, a student of Mpanga SS in Fort Portal, could become the youngest player to win the Uganda Open that tees off tomorrow at Uganda Golf Club.
1997 champion Stephen ‘Tiger Woods’ Birungi, who was 17 when he won his first of three back-to-back titles, still stands as the youngest winner.
Ex-professional Stephen Kasaija has warned that Otile (h/c4) who arrived in Kampala yesterday has what it takes to win the tournament.
“The young man is in great form. He has won several tournaments in Fort Portal and consistently plays under par 70, notably with a couple of 66 gross. He travelled to Kampala in time and if he can be composed and endure the four-day contest, he is capable of shocking people,†Kasaija warned.
Otile arrived with several other teenagers from Toro Club, keen on breaking the dominance of the event by golfers from Kampala, Entebbe and Jinja.
Toro Club’s Lawrence Muhenda, 18, Adolf Muhumuza, 17, and Ronald Rugumayo 18, were scheduled to have their initial practice session on the par -72 Kitante course yesterday.
Kasaija, whose participation in the tournament is subject to clearance by his employers —NSSF Fort Portal branch, downplayed his own chances of winning the event.
“It will be difficult to beat those young players. We the old guards have to balance between work, family and playing but they have been more focused on the game,†Kasaija remarked.
The 72-hole tournament majorly sponsored by Tusker Malt Lager with Multiple Industries, UAP Insurance, AON Insurance, Pepsi and Dasani Water has attracted a field of over 150 competitors.
SIXTEEN-year-old golfer Ronald Otile, a student of Mpanga SS in Fort Portal, could become the youngest player to win the Uganda Open that tees off tomorrow at Uganda Golf Club.
1997 champion Stephen ‘Tiger Woods’ Birungi, who was 17 when he won his first of three back-to-back titles, still stands as the youngest winner.
Ex-professional Stephen Kasaija has warned that Otile (h/c4) who arrived in Kampala yesterday has what it takes to win the tournament.
“The young man is in great form. He has won several tournaments in Fort Portal and consistently plays under par 70, notably with a couple of 66 gross. He travelled to Kampala in time and if he can be composed and endure the four-day contest, he is capable of shocking people,†Kasaija warned.
Otile arrived with several other teenagers from Toro Club, keen on breaking the dominance of the event by golfers from Kampala, Entebbe and Jinja.
Toro Club’s Lawrence Muhenda, 18, Adolf Muhumuza, 17, and Ronald Rugumayo 18, were scheduled to have their initial practice session on the par -72 Kitante course yesterday.
Kasaija, whose participation in the tournament is subject to clearance by his employers —NSSF Fort Portal branch, downplayed his own chances of winning the event.
“It will be difficult to beat those young players. We the old guards have to balance between work, family and playing but they have been more focused on the game,†Kasaija remarked.
The 72-hole tournament majorly sponsored by Tusker Malt Lager with Multiple Industries, UAP Insurance, AON Insurance, Pepsi and Dasani Water has attracted a field of over 150 competitors.