Kasozi wins Paulo Ngorogoza Memorial
Dec 15, 2014
IT was a case of the early bird catching the worm as Phillip Kasozi emerged champion of the 3rd edition of the Paulo Ngorogoza Memorial Tournament
By Michael Nsubuga
IT was a case of the early bird catching the worm as Phillip Kasozi emerged champion of the 3rd edition of the Paulo Ngorogoza Memorial Tournament at the newly built Garuga Golf Club in Kanungu.
Having arrived two days earlier than everyone in Kihihi, Kasozi had enough time to practice on the challenging course.
A majority of golfers arrived on Friday evening and Saturday morning and played a blind course.
Kasozi’s win comes with a fully paid trip for two from Entebbe Airport to Kihihi air field courtesy of Aerolink and a tourist visit to Bwindi.
Ladies group A winner Gloria Mbaguta will also enjoy the same privilege.
Being the longest and most challenging in the country, the 7189- yard long course left many cursing the designer who they labelled a ‘sadist’, ‘terrorist’ and malicious’.
Many lost balls on the course hazards with the scorching sun under which they played not helping matters.
Toro Golf club’s Adolf Muhumuza and Michael Arunga together with Jinja’s Ronald Mabonga were the top performers in the men’s group A while Moses Arinda, Bernard Baguma and Ronald Mugisha were the best in group B.
Bruce Owomugisha, Julius Turyatemba and Jotham Ngayi topped the group C contest.
Gloria Mbaguta, Meron Kyomugisha and Evelyn Asiimwe excelled in the ladies group A category.
Samalie Naikomba, Edrae Kagombe and Bridget Asiimwe top scored in the ladies group B.
Meanwhile, whereas many professional golfers left Kihihi praising the challenging nature of the course, some went away cursing after posting weird scores at tournament earlier on Friday.
Having played a blind course due to their late arrival and missing out on a practice round on Thursday, a majority of them returned scores that could easily pass as amateur scores.
But Silver Opio a 36-hole 154 to take the top award in this category.
Former minister Mondo Kagonyera and Bank of Uganda governor Tumusiime Mutebile presided over the two-day event organised by Kabale Golf Club.
Ngorogoza Memorial Golf tournament
Overall winner gross: Phillip Kasozi 71
Group A (top 3)
Adolf Muhumuza 75 nett c/b
Michael Arunga 75
Ronald Mabonga 75
Group B (top 3)
Ronald Mugisha 78c/b
Bernard Baguma 78
Moses Arinda 66
Group C (top 3)
Jotham Ngayi 87
Julius Turyatemba 84
Bruce Owomugisha 67
Ladies
Group A (top 3)
Gloria Mbaguta 85
Meron Kyomugisha 88
Evelyn Asiimwe 88
Group B
Samalie Naikomba 82
Edrae Kagombe 87
Bridget Asiimwe 94
Professionals
Opio Silver 77 77 154
Saidi Mawa 80 78 158
Fred Wanzala 80 78 158
Opio Onito 82 80 162
Herman Mutaawe 88 79 167
Denis Anguyo 81 88 169
Vincent Byamukama 89 80 169