Akot stars as defending champion Mariera bows out of Singleton challenge

Defending champions Isaac Mariera and John Muchiri will not play any further part in the Singleton Golf Challenge after they were beaten 1UP by Godfrey Byamugisha and Moses Ssebugwawo in the four-ball-better-ball match play championships.

But the highlight of the first round was produced by lady golfer Rita Akot Apell who single handedly eliminated the men's pair of Michael Monne and Harry Hakiza from advancing to the second round of the Singleton Golf Challenge at Entebbe Club on Saturday.

With her partner, Pamela Tumusiime missing on the day due to other commitments, Akot took on the men and lasted the whole distance, winning the match 1UP on the first hole of sudden death after the 18 holes.

"It wasn't easy, but I held on," Apell said as her opponents congratulated and posed with her at the ‘19th hole'.

Despite facing elimination from the main event Mariera's 36 stableford points were enough to win him the Group A top accolade, a weekend for two at the Lake Victoria Serena resort.

 DStv's Phoebe Nakabazzi (left) hands over a trophy to ladies Group A winner Bridget Nakamoga after the Singleton's first round 

The pairings of Innocent Kihika and Peter Magona and that of John Basabose and Kato Sebbaale eliminated their opponents Michael Manzi and Charles Odere and David Nambale and David Ssekitoleko; 1UP respectively after a sudden death play-off on Hole-No.1.

In some of the other matches Moses Mukiibi and Andrew Atuhaire beat Herbert Mwetemba and Peter Kagoro 7&6, Peace Kabasweka/Sheila Kesiime beat Kateeba/ Kagurusi 4&2, Mark Kaddumukasa/Peter Mukiibi beat Andrew Baguma/Peter Apell, 3&1 while Michael Tumusiime/Allan Muhereza eliminated Ruth Mugisha and Grace Njeri 2&1.

Joseph Bagabo/Paul Kaheru also bettered John Katto and Ronald Rugumayo 5&3, Paul Katuramu/ Sserwano Walusimbi beat Edwin Tumusiime and David Tugume, 6&4.

In the subsidiary event Tapi Peter who came second in Group A and Bridget Nakamoga who was best in the ladies Group A will each enjoy a round of golf at Serena while Richard Lutwama who topped Group B walked away with a DStv Explora decoder with Group C's Joseph Mubiru winning a three-month DStv premium subscription.

A brand new sh235m Pajero Sport car for a hole-in-one remained unclaimed as no golfer managed the rare feat.

 UBL Supply Chain Director Shane Healy (left) presents a trophy to Ssebugwawo who eliminated the defending champions after the first round

At the 19th hole those who dressed appropriately as per the ‘Cowboy' dress code of the night were also rewarded with the top five receiving a Singleton each and DStv subscription before artiste Winnie Nwagi entertained the golfers with some of her top hits.

The winning pairs from every month advances to the subsequent rounds until the finals in July.

The ultimate prize will have winners play alongside established professionals in a Pro-AM event of the DP Golf Series at the Jumeirah Golf Estates Club in Dubai in November.

Singleton first round subsidiary event results

Group A

Isaac Mariera 36pts c/b

Peter Tapi 36c/b

Michael Tumusiime 36

Group B

Richard Lutwama 41pts

Herbert Mwetemba 39

Moses Ssebugwawo 37

Group C

Joseph Mubiru 38pts

Kenneth Amagu 37c/b

Elton Thembo 37

Ladies Group A

Bridget Nakamoga 41pts

Peace Kabasweka 39

Group B

Hasifah Kalungi 51pts

Doreen Mwesigwa 39

Selected four-ball-better-ball match play results

H. Mwetemba/P. Kagoro bt H. Mukiibi/ A. Andrew; 7&6

R. Busingye/R. Kasirye bt B. Rwabwogo/A. Kananathan; 1UP

M.Tumusiime/A. Muhereza bt G. Njeri/R. Mugisha; 2&1

P. Kabasweka/S. Kesiime bt A. Kateeba/P. Kagurusi; 4&2

M. Kaddumukasa/P. Mukiibi bt B. Andrew/ P. Apell; 3&1

J.Bagabo/P.Kaheru bt J. Katto/R.Rugumayo 5&3,

P.Katuramu/ S.Walusimbi bt E.Tumusiime/D.Tugume;6&4

R. Shaban/D. Kareeba bt A. Nkuyahaga/J. Ochieng; 2&1

K. John/N. Ngari bt K.Eillis/C. Mwesigwa; 3&2

R. Apell/P. Tumusiime bt H.Hakiza/M.Monne; 1UP

M.Otile/H.Opolot bt A. Muhwezi/P.Nuwagaba; 3&2

C. Balafu/T. Kisadha bt D.Oola/J. Eyulu; 4&3

D.Opwonya/P. Musiime bt H. Mpiima/K.Ssuubi; 5&4

C.Mubiru/J.Mawejje bt N.Mubiru/P.Ssebaale; 2&1

J.Ligyalingi/P.Mungoma bt M.Matsiko/M.Kagoro; 2&1

C.Hamya/J. Bogera bt P.Jadu/A.Agaba; 7&5

I.Nakalembe/E.Magala bt G.Mbaguta/E.Asiimwe;7&5

P.Baite/D.Kaggwa bt A.Mboijana/V.Katutsi;6&5

E.Kabuchu/A.Kibaya bt D.Odhaima/J.Muhammad;2&1