Mawa, Byamukama performances light up Kinyara Open

Oct 24, 2016

Sponsors representatives Liaison's Samson Mweru, ICEA's John Karionji and Njaga Ngari who had given way for the faster golfers witnessed the hole-in-one.

A maiden career hole-in-one by professional golfer Saidi Mawa and a thrilling seven-hole sudden death play-off between Fred Wanzala and eventual winner Vincent Byamukama were the highlights as the Kinyara Open ended in Masindi on Sunday.

Using a Nike 48 degrees club and a Srixon 4 softball Mawa was playing alongside Henry Lujja and Robert Oluba when he achieved the rare feat on the dreaded hole-No.7. Many golfers have lost their balls to the swamp that guards the hole.

But Mawa tamed the hole on the last round to receive plaudits from all golfers.

 ICEA's John Karionji ( left) and UGU president Johnson Omolo congratulate overall winner Joseph Mawejje (left) as Kinyara Sugar's Vinhnu Narayan looks on

Sponsors representatives Liaison's Samson Mweru, ICEA's John Karionji and Njaga Ngari who had given way for the faster golfers witnessed the hole-in-one.

After the feat, Mawa left Kinyara more loaded than any pro, having received cash the worth of 10 bags of sugar (sh1.5m) which was the prize for the hole-in-one, on top of more cash for finishing third overall.

But it was Britam Insurance sponsored Vincent Byamukama who showed more mettle, winning a sudden death play-off against Wanzala over seven holes after the two finished joint top on 146 gross, over 36 holes, to win the tournament.

It was Byamukama's second win of the year having won the four-club tournament in Entebbe last month.

The sudden death failed to separate both golfers in four rounds at the par-5 hole No.9 with both of them levelling the hole and getting birdies respectively in the first and last two rounds of play.

They were then diverted to start at the nearby Hole No.1 for the fifth round where they were all square, including after the second hole.

Overall ladies winner Prudence Nimukama (left) receives her prizes from UGU president Johnson Omolo

After the second hole, Byamukama then ensured he gets the biggest pay cheque on the sh10m prize money when he birdied the par-5 Hole-No.3 with a fatigued Wanzala missing a one foot putter.

The tournament was sponsored by Liaison Uganda Limited (Risk Insurance, Pension & Investments) , Insurance Company of East Africa (ICEA), Jubilee Insurance, Lion Assurance, Britam and Kinyara Sugar.

Uganda Golf Club's Joseph Mawejje won the amateur version of the same event with Kilembe's John Mwesigwa winning the net category.

Results-Amatuers

Overall winner gross: J. Mawejje 148

Overall winner net: J. Mwesigwa 139

Group A

G. Nsubuga 144nett

A. Bagalana 145

C. Basaliza 145 c/b

Group B

S. Onandra 146

T. Sunday 146

N. Kasana 147

Group C

C. Masaba 143

A. Bwambale 146

E. Mukiibi 147

Ladies

P. Nimukama 146

B. Kyomukama 149 c/b

R. Angom 149

 
Pro's top 5

V. Byamukama 72, 74 146 (won after sudden death)

F. Wanzala        72, 74 146

Saidi Mawa       75, 73 148

O. Onito            71, 78 149

R. Oluba            74, 75 149

 

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