Birungi breaks Kinyara record
May 22, 2006
STEPHEN ‘Tiger Woods’ Birungi destroyed the par 71 Kinyara course in the closing round to capture the Kinyara golf Open title on Sunday.
By Douglas Mazune
in Kinyara, Masindi
Results
Amateur
S. Birungi 147
G. Olayo 150
B. Tolit 154
Professionals
D. Akope 142
D. Odhiambo 143
C. Yokwe 149
S. Kasaija 153
Women gross winner
M. Ntege 177
UGU stroke-play championship leaderboard:
1. S. Birungi 28.5 points
2. G. Olayo 23
3. V. Byamukama 16.5
4. S. Lwanga 13.5
STEPHEN ‘Tiger Woods’ Birungi destroyed the par 71 Kinyara course in the closing round to capture the Kinyara golf Open title on Sunday.
Birungi overcame a shaky opening day that saw him lie four strokes behind the leader, to shoot a course record breaking 68 in the second round to win the tournament, sparking off talk that the Nile Breweries sponsored star had regained his rhythm that saw him win the Uganda Open thrice (‘97, ‘98 & ’99).
Stephen Kasaija and Deo Akope held the previous course record of 69.
“It was a great game and I hope to keep it up,†an excited Birungi said.
Day one joint leader George Olayo was three strokes behind the winner. Olayo settled for second place on 154 while 15-year-old Emmanuel Opio, Charles Yokwe’s younger brother, was third on 157.
In the professionals category, Deo Akope fired an eagle on the 18th hole to beat Kenyan David Odhiambo to the sh0.6m top prize by one stroke.
Akope had an aggregate score of 142.
Odhiambo who shot a course record equalling 68 on the last day drew level with day one leader Akope on hole 14 and clung on until the par five 18th on which the Ugandan shot the eagle as the hard fighting Odhiambo hit a birdie.
“I needed any eagle to make a difference and am happy I got it,†Akope said after the tense contest.
United Assurance sponsored the Uganda Golf Union (UGU) event organised by Kinyara Golf Club.
in Kinyara, Masindi
Results
Amateur
S. Birungi 147
G. Olayo 150
B. Tolit 154
Professionals
D. Akope 142
D. Odhiambo 143
C. Yokwe 149
S. Kasaija 153
Women gross winner
M. Ntege 177
UGU stroke-play championship leaderboard:
1. S. Birungi 28.5 points
2. G. Olayo 23
3. V. Byamukama 16.5
4. S. Lwanga 13.5
STEPHEN ‘Tiger Woods’ Birungi destroyed the par 71 Kinyara course in the closing round to capture the Kinyara golf Open title on Sunday.
Birungi overcame a shaky opening day that saw him lie four strokes behind the leader, to shoot a course record breaking 68 in the second round to win the tournament, sparking off talk that the Nile Breweries sponsored star had regained his rhythm that saw him win the Uganda Open thrice (‘97, ‘98 & ’99).
Stephen Kasaija and Deo Akope held the previous course record of 69.
“It was a great game and I hope to keep it up,†an excited Birungi said.
Day one joint leader George Olayo was three strokes behind the winner. Olayo settled for second place on 154 while 15-year-old Emmanuel Opio, Charles Yokwe’s younger brother, was third on 157.
In the professionals category, Deo Akope fired an eagle on the 18th hole to beat Kenyan David Odhiambo to the sh0.6m top prize by one stroke.
Akope had an aggregate score of 142.
Odhiambo who shot a course record equalling 68 on the last day drew level with day one leader Akope on hole 14 and clung on until the par five 18th on which the Ugandan shot the eagle as the hard fighting Odhiambo hit a birdie.
“I needed any eagle to make a difference and am happy I got it,†Akope said after the tense contest.
United Assurance sponsored the Uganda Golf Union (UGU) event organised by Kinyara Golf Club.