Opio shows nerve for the big stage
Sep 03, 2010
AN opening round two- under-par 70 for 19-year-old Emma Opio sparked off thoughts of the legendary late Sadi Onito’s family returning to dominate the Uganda Golf Open again.
By Douglas Mazune
AN opening round two- under-par 70 for 19-year-old Emma Opio sparked off thoughts of the legendary late Sadi Onito’s family returning to dominate the Uganda Golf Open again.
That Opio was not contented with his impressive score showed the teenager’s ambition to open his own chapter in the prestigious event.
The Jinja-based player, who is vice captain of the national team, has three more rounds to step up gear and realise his dream.
Opio, who is two strokes behind the leader Brian Mwesigwa after the opening round, was oozing with optimism.
“I know the Kitante course so well and I believe I have what it takes to win here,†Opio stated.
Opio will be out to emulate his father Onito who won the tournament a record 12 times and his elder brother the late Charles Yokwe, the 2003 and 2005 champion.
Youngster Opio will be up against the likes of John Basabose and ex-professional Stephen Kasaija who competed with Onito and Yokwe in the past.
Kasaija reverted to amateur status while Basabose, unlike his contemporaries, chose to not to go professional.
The four-day tournament due to end tomorrow, will see golfers in the subsidiary category tee off today on the same course.
The subsidiary competitors will play 36 holes over two days.
The 70th edition of the annual show attracted 60 amateurs below handicap nine and 15 professionals who teed off on Thursday.
AN opening round two- under-par 70 for 19-year-old Emma Opio sparked off thoughts of the legendary late Sadi Onito’s family returning to dominate the Uganda Golf Open again.
That Opio was not contented with his impressive score showed the teenager’s ambition to open his own chapter in the prestigious event.
The Jinja-based player, who is vice captain of the national team, has three more rounds to step up gear and realise his dream.
Opio, who is two strokes behind the leader Brian Mwesigwa after the opening round, was oozing with optimism.
“I know the Kitante course so well and I believe I have what it takes to win here,†Opio stated.
Opio will be out to emulate his father Onito who won the tournament a record 12 times and his elder brother the late Charles Yokwe, the 2003 and 2005 champion.
Youngster Opio will be up against the likes of John Basabose and ex-professional Stephen Kasaija who competed with Onito and Yokwe in the past.
Kasaija reverted to amateur status while Basabose, unlike his contemporaries, chose to not to go professional.
The four-day tournament due to end tomorrow, will see golfers in the subsidiary category tee off today on the same course.
The subsidiary competitors will play 36 holes over two days.
The 70th edition of the annual show attracted 60 amateurs below handicap nine and 15 professionals who teed off on Thursday.