Byamukama is king as Kenyan wins

Nov 09, 2009

KENYAN veteran Mahihu Wachiru romped to surprise victory in the Kinyara Open in Masindi as Vincent Byamukama clinched the 2009 Uganda Golf Union (UGU) stroke-play crown despite finishing third.

By Douglas Mazune

KENYAN veteran Mahihu Wachiru romped to surprise victory in the Kinyara Open in Masindi as Vincent Byamukama clinched the 2009 Uganda Golf Union (UGU) stroke-play crown despite finishing third.

Ian Odokonyero, Yasin Boy and Byamukama threw caution to the wind in a desperate battle for victory as a calm Mahihu snatched the title.

The Kenyan played 76 on day one and maintained the score in the second round for an aggregate of 152. He beat Odokonyero by one stroke while Byamukama and West Nile club’s Boy shared third, two shots off the pace.

Mahihu vowed to defend his title next season.

“I am lucky it didn’t rain and I maintained a fantastic game. I like the level of competition here and I am glad I came top,” he said.

The UGU stroke-play championship runner-away leader, Byamukama captured the third consecutive championship.

Byamukama, who stretched his tally to 59.5 points, is 20 clear of Peter Ssendawula with the Venus Tooro and West Nile opens yet to be played. The two events have a maximum of 16 points which assures Byamukama of the title.

In the professional event Amos Kamya, with 144, beat Herman Mutaawe by three strokes to come top.

George Olayo (151), Godfrey Mande (154) and Brian Toolit (157) were third, fourth and fifth respectively.

Kinyara Sugar sponsored the two-day tournament.

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Kinyara golf Open
W. Mahihu 76 76 152
I. Odokonyero 74 79 153
V. Byamukama 79 75 154
Y. Boy 79 75 154
P. Ssendawula 77 79 156
F. Mugisa 78 82 160
D. Aguma 84 77 161

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UGU standings after Kinyara
V. Byamukama 59.5pts
P. Ssendawula 39.5
B. Mwesigwa 33.5
E. Onito 32
F. Mugisa 32
S. Opio 30
I. Odokonyero 25

Professionals
A. Kamya 73 71 144
H. Mutaawe 73 74 147
G. Olayo 77 74 151
G. Mande 79 75 154
B. Tolit 78 157
G. Ayella 80 78 158

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