Golf: Lugazi's Bukenya tops Tororo Cement Open
Jun 08, 2015
Lugazi Golf Club's Ronnie Bukenya won a sudden death play-off against Kenya Nandi Bears Golf Club's Abraham Maichi to emerge champion of the Tororo Cement Open at Tororo Golf Club on Sunday.
By Michael Nsubuga
Lugazi Golf Club's Ronnie Bukenya won a sudden death play-off against Kenya Nandi Bears Golf Club's Abraham Maichi to emerge champion of the Tororo Cement Open at Tororo Golf Club on Sunday.
The handicap 0 national team golfer rallied from 4 strokes down on the first day to force the play-off against the Kenyan veteran golfer, who was also trailing day-one leader Jinja's Grace Kasango by 3 strokes going into the final round.
When Kasango dropped two strokes as soon as the second round began, Bukenya and Maichi grabbed the opportunity taking the match to the wire.
Bukenya finished day-two with 75 with Maichi carding 76 to tie with 153 gross each having returned 78 and 77 respectively on the first day.
In the sudden death, Bukenya got a birdie on the par 4 hole-number one with Maichi getting a par. The feat had the victor winning himself a 40 inch Flat Screen TV with the runner up settling for a 32 inch one.
"I knew the four strokes were chasable so I had to concentrate to win. The greens were not in good condition but they were playable, but generally the course has improved a lot since I last played here," Bukenya said.
Maichi who had surprised many youngsters with his performance also praised the conditions of the course but his game.
"I tried to play well but the greens were unpredictable and fast," Maichi who has played the Tororo course for over five times said.
For Stephen Sirisaga another Kenyan golfer who emerged the overall winner net described the greens as horrible and asked management to do something about them.
Earlier on, Jinja professional golfer Brian Toolit carded 73 to beat twelve other professionals to claim the biggest share of sh5m prize.
The annual UGU event presided over by Tororo RDC Bessie Modestar Ajilong attracted 86 golfers from two Kenya and eight Ugandan clubs.
Results
Gross
R. Bukenya 153 (won sudden death play-off)
R/up: A. Maichi 153
Overall net: S. Sirisaga
Ladies
M. Kyomugisha 160
B. Owaraga 168
Group A
G. Magombe 145
F. Koech 146
A. Nasser 147
Group B
S. Ntumwa 143
G. Nsubuga 144
I. Ondieki 148
Group C
C. Kabise 145
J.D. Odeke 146
F. Mulindwa 148
Professionals: top ten
Brian Toolit 73
Vincent Byamukama 74
Opio Onito 74
Silver Opio 74
Deo Akope 75
Herman Mutaawe 75
George Olayo 76
Ian Odokonyero 78
Grace Ocici 78
Denis Anguyo 82
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