Cwinyaai contemplates pro move after winning Entebbe Open
Nov 04, 2019
The 23-year-old from Tooro Club beat off fatigue to claim his third major this year, to add to the Mayombo and Kinyara opens he won earlier on
National team captain Joseph Cwinya-ai is contemplating playing professional golf after shining with the national team and bagging three majors this year.
On Saturday, Cwinya-ai rallied from behind to win the Castle Lite Entebbe Open at Entebbe Club beating over 30 players to the 10th edition title.
Coming off winning the Kinyara Sugar Open recently, and finishing fourth in the Kenya Amateur Stroke Play Championship last week, the 23-year-old from Tooro Club beat off fatigue to claim his third major this year, to add to the Mayombo and Kinyara opens he won earlier on.
Going into the last round of the 54-hole competition, Cwinyaai was 5 strokes off the leader, Michael Alunga but his three-under-par 68 in the final round ensured the victory.
Absa's Stephen Odongo (left) hands a plaque to Godlive Nayebare (right), the overall nett winner in the ladies category after the tournament at Entebbe Club. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
"This is my fourth tournament in a month and I'm a bit fatigued but I had to fight. I was chasing five strokes off and chasing an experienced player Alunga but I came with a target of shooting 68 which I achieved and fortunately the leader messed up," Cwinya-ai said.
He wrapped up the win with five birdies and only three bogeys and is now focused to win more in the Serena and Kakira Open before the year ends.
"I will probably turn pro next year because my sponsor Isaac Aisu who is based in the UK has ensured I play all these tournaments because he gives me everything including money and clubs," Cwinyaai stated.
Earlier, Kenya's Justus Madoya won the professional's category with a nine-under 275 over 72 holes.
The Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort's 33-year-old player consequently bagged his first major win since turning pro two years ago and grabbing the biggest share of the sh40m kitty, taking home sh6m.
Kenya's Justus Madoya (2nd right) won the professionals tournament. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
He also bagged an extra 50 Safari Tour points from the Entebbe tournament, taking his tally to 110.5pts from the four events played thus far.
"It feels good winning this because I have been fighting to win at least one tournament to open the door in my professional career, so it is good I have gotten one; it feels great," Madoya said.
"My last round was fantastic I had great shots from the tees and I had a good recovery and all my second shots were good and everything else about my game today was good.
Amateurs: Top ten
Joseph Cwinyaai 78 73 68 219
Grace Kasango 73 77 70 220
Emmanuel Jakisa 76 74 71 221
Michael Alunga 73 73 75 221
Samuel Kato 78 73 74 225
Godfrey Nsubuga 69 80 76 225
Christopher Baguma 80 75 71 226
Ashiraf Bagalana 78 74 74 226
Emmanuel Moko 73 77 76 226
Tom Jingo 79 72 79 230
James Koto 84 75 75 234
Overall winners net
Men: Mark Rubatsimbira 43pts
Ladies: Godlive Nayebare 36
Group A
Rajab Piwang 208nett
Samuel Kato 216nett
Group B
Fred Kasumba 42pts
Raymond Mwesige 39
Geoffrey Gyabi 38
Group C
Dejan Stepanovic 35
Mathias Kalule 35
Adoch Luwum 34
Group A-Ladies
Wendy Angudeyo 35pts
Judith Komugisha 31
Group B
Yu Feng 35
Arkens Anya 33
Longest drive
Men: Joseph Cwinyaai
Ladies: Wendy Angudeyo
Nearest to the pin
Men: Nicholas Hercules
Ladies: Jovia Tugume
Seniors
Alex Coutinho 234nett