Golfers struggle to hit par
Oct 23, 2006
THE belated 64th Uganda Amateur Golf Open lacked the glamour that has marked past editions of the hitherto prestigious tournament. The 72-hole stroke-play tournament did not live up to its usual billing on and off the course.
By Douglas Mazune
THE belated 64th Uganda Amateur Golf Open lacked the glamour that has marked past editions of the hitherto prestigious tournament. The 72-hole stroke-play tournament did not live up to its usual billing on and off the course.
On the course, the scores were below par and off the course it was one of those very rare tournaments whose winners had only trophies to show for their endeavour.
Amos Kamya, a golf student at North Link College in Cape Town, South Africa, carded 10-over-par 298 to win.
Last year’s winner Charles Yokwe scored three under par 285 while the 2004 champion Kenyan David Odhiambo scored one-over-par 289.
Kamya admitted the scores were poor.
“I scored 74 on the final day which was just enough to win. Anyway a win is a win,†Kamya commented.
The pressure group that normally attracts a sizeable crowd had a handful of spectators this time.
Only Kamya (70), John Waigo (70), Birungi (71) and 18-year-old Vincent Byamukama managed to once play under the par 72 course.
The quality of the amateur field was also short of the top players from last year who all turned professional.
There was a lack of enthusiasm at Kitante golf course that normally characterises the run up to Uganda’s premier golf event.
Top 3 Uganda Open results
A. Kamya 74 80 70 74 298
G. Ayella 71 77 77 74 299
S. Birungi 73 83 73 71 300
UGU stroke-play standings
S. Birungi 57.5
G. Olayo 52
V. Byamukama 42
G. Ayella 33
S. Lwanga 31
D. Lagoro 23
H. Mutaawe 22
B. Tolit 18
G. Kituku 17
A. Kamya 16
THE belated 64th Uganda Amateur Golf Open lacked the glamour that has marked past editions of the hitherto prestigious tournament. The 72-hole stroke-play tournament did not live up to its usual billing on and off the course.
On the course, the scores were below par and off the course it was one of those very rare tournaments whose winners had only trophies to show for their endeavour.
Amos Kamya, a golf student at North Link College in Cape Town, South Africa, carded 10-over-par 298 to win.
Last year’s winner Charles Yokwe scored three under par 285 while the 2004 champion Kenyan David Odhiambo scored one-over-par 289.
Kamya admitted the scores were poor.
“I scored 74 on the final day which was just enough to win. Anyway a win is a win,†Kamya commented.
The pressure group that normally attracts a sizeable crowd had a handful of spectators this time.
Only Kamya (70), John Waigo (70), Birungi (71) and 18-year-old Vincent Byamukama managed to once play under the par 72 course.
The quality of the amateur field was also short of the top players from last year who all turned professional.
There was a lack of enthusiasm at Kitante golf course that normally characterises the run up to Uganda’s premier golf event.
Top 3 Uganda Open results
A. Kamya 74 80 70 74 298
G. Ayella 71 77 77 74 299
S. Birungi 73 83 73 71 300
UGU stroke-play standings
S. Birungi 57.5
G. Olayo 52
V. Byamukama 42
G. Ayella 33
S. Lwanga 31
D. Lagoro 23
H. Mutaawe 22
B. Tolit 18
G. Kituku 17
A. Kamya 16