By Douglas Mazune
in Fort Portal

Leader-board
V. Byamukama 68 68 136
L. Muhenda 71 70 141
F. Mugisa 77 69 146
I. Odokonyero 75 71 146
B. Mwesigwa 73 73 146
G. Kituku 70 76 146
Nett winner:
Denis Otim 132 nett

Women
F. Namakula 89 80 161
Net winner
J. Batebe 150nett
J. Nasimolo 152nett
S. Kanyamatonwa 154nett

Professionals
Top five
D. Akope 70 68 138
G. Olayo 70 70 140
H. Mutaawe 72 69 142
D. Anguyo 74 70 144
D. Lagoro 70 74 144

NATIONAL champion Vincent Byamukama started the season in devastating form, shooting four under par 136 to win the Western Golf Open in Fort Portal yesterday.

Byamukama, who fired an opening round 68 on Saturday followed it up with another 68 yesterday to beat homeboy Lawrence Muhendo by a convincing five strokes to claim his first win of the 2009 season.

The victor made up for his earlier four bogeys with six birdies to stay top and bank his first points of the Uganda Golf Union (UGU) stroke-play championship.
The Entebbe golfer looks forward to a great season.
“I was in total control and I knew it. I kept Muhenda at arm’s length and maintained the lead all the way to the last hole. The course was in fanstastic shape and I played so well,” Byamukama remarked on Sunday evening.
Frank Mugisa (146) beat Ian Odokonyero, Brian Mwesigwa and George Kituku on count-back to claim third position of the tournament sponsored by Three Ways Shipping Sam Services.

Fred Wanzala with 147 beat Sam Zaramba to seventh position in the two-day tournament that was the second event on the UGU calendar.

Toro Golf Club’s Denis Otim won the subsidiary event that was determined by the nett scores.

In the women’s event Flavia Namakula was the gross winner with 161. In the professional contest Deo Akope broke the day-one deadlock with Mutaawe and Dickson Lagoro, with a two under par 68 in the closing round to win.

With an aggregate of 138 Akope edged out Olayo by two strokes to claim the top cash prize while Mutaawe settled for third position.