Kakira Sugar Limited General Manager Christian Vinke (left) hands over the overall winners trophy to Basalaine (right) as UGU president Innocent Kihika looks on. PHOTO: Bruno Mugooda

Mehta Golf Club’s Joel Basalaine returned level par 72 to win the 11th edition of the Kakira Golf Open at Jinja Club over the weekend.

The 18-year-old MUBS Transport and Logistics first year student, registered four birdies in the 18-hole round played on Friday to edge out Jinja Club’s Sunday Lulet and 2015 and 2016 champion Grace Kasango by a stroke, to win his second major in a week following his JBG Open triumph in Entebbe last week.

Lulet and Kasango tied for second with 73 gross each.

"On Thursday I watched the pros struggle with the hot conditions but after the morning drizzle on Friday the course looked better and my putts were rolling better on each green. My target is now to win the golfer of the year award next year,” Basalaine said.

In the professionals’ category, Brian Toolit followed his Tusker Malt Series win last week in Tooro, with another victory in Jinja after carding 140 gross over 36 holes, in the sh10 battle earlier on Thursday.

Toolit was also one stroke better than Denis Anguyo and Vincent Byamukama who tied for second followed by Ronald Rugumayo.

On the ‘19th hole’ UGU president Innocent Kihika advised Jinja Club trustees headed by Andrew Kasigwa to migrate from leasehold land to free hold if they are to achieve their dream of having an 18 hole expansion of the course.

"Jinja Golf club trustees should come up with a plan of applying for a free hold so as to have its full mandatory plan of expansion from 9 hole to 18 holes. If you do that , the union will back you up and possibly also that will open up for more sponsors to have more golf tournaments annually,” Kihika advised.

Kakira Sugar Limited General Manager Christian Vinke said that the company is dedicated to support the development of golf at Jinja club.

Top 5 amatuers

Joel Basalaine 72
Sunday Lulet 73c/b
Grace Kasango 73
Becca Mwanja 74c/b
Conrade Acaye 74

Pros Top 5
Brian Toolit                 71  69  140
Abraham Ainamane    71 72  143
Dennis Anguyo           72  72  144
Vincent Byamukama  67   77 144
Ronald Rugumayo      72  73  145

Subsidiary

Group A

Saidi Nkunsi 63Nett

F. Kato 65

J. Odiri 67

Group B

T. Okurut  67

J. Lwanga 68

J. Ivan 69

 Group C

P. Katarikawe  67c/b

J . Okidi     67

E.  Rujumba 73

Ladies Group A

M . Babirye  66

B. Catherine  69

J. Nampewo  70

Group B

D.  Nabirye  59

S . Kawanyi  63