Kasozi poised to win JBG Golf Open
Oct 12, 2018
Another 190 amateur golfers will take to the course on Saturday
Phillip Kasozi shot a second round two-under par 69 to set himself on course of winning his first JBG Golf Open Championship, going on at Entebbe Club.
Kasozi, who was edged to the biggest share of sh15m by Fred Wanzala last year in the same competition, is now a stroke ahead of second placed professional rookie Abraham Ainamani, with a total of 143 to Ainamani's 144 after 36 holes.
Defending champion Fred Wanzala who shot five-over in the first round is four strokes away, tied in seventh position with Deo Akope while day-one leader Herman Mutaawe shot an opening round one-under par 70 to take an early lead, slipped to ninth after his second round 78, going into the final round of the 54-hole contest.
Mutaawe who finished three strokes off last year, is trailing by five shots as Brian Toolit, Silver Opio, Happy Robert and Vincent Byamukama showed great improvement in the second round and will be hoping for further improvement to stand a chance of grabbing the biggest share of the sh20m prize money this year.
Addressing a press conference during the launch Gauff Managing Director Emmanuel Mugamba said it was an honour to continue sponsoring the event, which he has seen grow and continues to nurture many golfers.
"We are grateful for sponsoring the 21st edition; it is even more gratifying for me to see many more golfers continue to grow with this tournament. I can see the tournament continue to grow in the next 5-10 years," Mugamba stated.
Entebbe Club Chairman Twinemanzi Tumubweinee thanked JBG for the continued partnership with Entebbe and said it was the reason holes one and ten were renamed after Gauff engineering senior advisor Helmut Gauff and managing director Mugamba respectively.
"Entebbe Club is going places and we have a bright future, so we ask all golfers to come and join us as we take the sport forward," Twinemanzi said.
Another 190 amateur golfers will take to the course on Saturday to fight for various prizes in the 21st edition of the annual event.
Mehta Golf Club's Joel Basalaine won the amateur (0-5 handicap) 36-hole competition with a gross of 147 while Tooro's Michael Alunga was second on 152 gross.
Top ten: After 36 holes
Phillip Kasozi 74; 69 143
Abraham Ainamani 72; 72 144
Brian Toolit 75; 70 145
Silver Opio 76; 69 145
Happy Robert 74; 72 146
Vincent Byamukama 76; 70 146
Deo Akope 73; 74 147
Fred Wanzala 76; 71 147
Herman Mutaawe 70; 78 148
Ronnie Bukenya 78; 72 150
Top 5 amateurs (handicap 0-5)
Joel Basalaine 75; 72 147
Michael Alunga 75; 77 152
Herman Mutebi 74; 79 153
Michael Tumusiime 73; 80 153
Samuel Kato 80; 75 155