Kitatta tames Jinja golfers to take Kakira Open

 By Douglas Mazune

W. Kitatta 74 75 149

R. Ssenyanja 73 76 149

L. Muhenda 78 72 150

M. Ayubu 79 71 150

A. Muhumuza 76 77153

B. Jorum 79 75 154

R. Tumusiine 78 77 155

A. Bagalana 77 79 156

C. Acaye 79 78 165

T. Okwong 78 80 158

Women:

F. Namakula 80 81 161

M. Ntega 84 85 169

Willy Kitatta had to endure a six-hole playoff with Ronnie Ssenyanja to halt a four-year dominance by Jinja golfers in the Kakira Open in Jinja on Sunday.

Kitatta shot a closing round 75 to force a tie with homeboy Ssenyanja—stretching contest to a playoff to break the deadlock in the closing event of the 2011 Uganda Golf Union (UGU) calendar.

With a two-day aggregate of 149 each, Kitatta and Ssenyanja went for the first playoff that saw them shoot the same scores on holes 16, 17 and 18.

They went back to play another three holes and Kitatta birdied the second of three holes to claim his first UGU victory.

“Ronnie turned out to be such a tough opponent and he made me work hard for my victory. I am glad I have won in Jinja,” Kitatta stated.

Fort Portal’s Lawrence Muhenda and Jinja’s Ayubu Muhammud shared third spot on 150 while Adolf Muhumuza also from Toro Club was fifth with 153.

Jinja’s Jorum Blake, Robert Tumusiime, Abbey Bagalana and Conrad Acaye were sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth respectively.

Flavia Namakula beat Monica Ntege to the women’s award on gross score.