Flying start

Aug 28, 2009

VINCENT Byamukama cashed in on his vast knowledge of his home course to take a one stroke lead as the 69th Uganda Golf Open got underway in Entebbe yesterday.

By James Bakama and Douglas Mazune in Entebbe

VINCENT Byamukama cashed in on his vast knowledge of his home course to take a one stroke lead as the 69th Uganda Golf Open got underway in Entebbe yesterday.

An eagle on the 15th hole and birdies on the first, third and 11th holes had Byamukama starting off with a two under par 69 score.

“I know this course very well. I think this is a score I can maintain up to the title,” said an optimistic Byamukama. He is eyeing his first Uganda Open title.

Byamukama could have had a better score had it not been for bogeys on the 10th and 17th holes.

“I double bogeyed on the 17 hole because of a caddie who placed a bag in my line of attack,” he complained.
Last year, Byamukama started very well before losing by a stroke on the final day.

Kenya’s Collins Omondi and Rwandan Thomas Eberhart were the leading foreign entrants, on a course that had visitors struggling to adapt..

Tight course
The par 71 tight Entebbe golf course lived up to expectations, taming visitors on the opening day.

Entebbe Club Pro Dickson Lagoro had warned that the greens and fairways were fantastic but it was a tough course that awaited competitors. The scores have proved Lagoro right so far.

Save for local heroes Byamukama and Ssendawula who played under par for the course, the rest of the field played over the course par.

Telecommunications company utl has sunk sh101m into the four day competition. Midcom, Nile Gold and Pepsi are co-sponsors.

Professionals scores
D. Ndiza 67
R. Ainley 70
D. Akope 71
G. Ayella 71
E. Ruterana 71

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