Excitement as Tusker Golf Series starts

The anticipated excitement was evident as four men's and one ladies team from the Uganda Golf Club got closer to winning an all-expenses paid golfing holiday in Pattaya, Thailand after they qualified for the finals of the Tusker Malt Lager Golf Series, from the first round played at Kitante on Saturday.

The tournament will be played over 17 weeks, at six golf clubs across the country.

The team of Denmond Mutyaba and Jerry Owach led the qualifiers with 46 stable ford points, while Andrew Atuhaire and Tom Kakaire returned 45 points, just like Paul Ndyaguma and Moses Mukiibi who they beat on count-back.

The ladies team of Gloria Mbaguta and Grace Njeri produced 44 points to qualify for the final, while David Odiama and Francis Onyango returned 43 points, beating Charles Hamya and Joseph Bogera on count-back.

After the series opener, golfers who missed qualification to the final can make amends in the second qualifier at Tooro Club on November 10 or at the Mbarara leg on November 24.

The tournament will then head to Jinja on December 8 before it heads to the Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa on February 2; before the grand finale at the Uganda Golf Club on February 23. The best score of each individual is considered on each hole.

 Tom Kakaire (left) and Andrew Atuhaire (right) receive their prize from Pepsi's Audrey Lang after the Tusker Series finals at Kitante, October 10 2018. PHOTOS: Michael Nsubuga

Outstanding individuals on the day included Sam Sejjaka, Jerry Owach and Joel Kakira in the men's groups A-C while Mbaguta and Wendy Angudeyo who topped the ladies groups A and B can also look for further improvements in the subsequent qualifiers to bag even more prizes.

The Uganda Golf Club and Entebbe Clubs will qualify five teams each for the grand finale while other clubs will qualify three each (pairs of two).

Uganda Breweries Managing Director Mark Ocitti encouraged all golfers to compete in the rest of the series tournaments saying that it was because of their passion for golf that they were in for this series and a fulfillment to the commitment they made last year after they sponsored the Uganda Open.

Tusker Malt Series 2018 - UGC leg results

UGC Qualified teams (Top 5)

Denmond Mutyaba/Jerry Owach 46pts

Andrew Atuhaire/Tom Kakaire 45c/b

Paul Ndyaguma/Moses Mukiibi 45

Gloria Mbaguta/ Grace Njeri 44

David Odiama/Francis Nyango 43c/b

Best Individuals

Group A

Sam Sejjaka 40pts

John Basabose 38c/b

Noah Waibi 38

Group B

Jerry Owach 40pts

Vishay Haria 38c/b

Andrew Atuhaire 38

Group C

Joel Kakira 38pts c/b

Nester Byamugisha 38

Moses Mukiibi 37

Ladies Group A

Gloria Mbaguta 37pts

Peace Kabasweka 36

Group B

Wendy Angudeyo 41

Jackie Kamunyu 39