Rugumayo eyes professional move after winning Uganda Open
Sep 18, 2017
Rugumayo attributed his win to his third round three-under-par-69
SPORTS | GOLF
Toro Golf Club's Ronald Rugumayo is eyeing turning professional after beating defending champions Ronald Otile in a play-off to win his first Tusker Malt Lager Uganda Open title in 7 years.
It was a special win over a special player, club, and national team mate and two-time winner Otile who has displayed some wonderful golf over the last two years
After tying on 299 gross over the four days of action a play-off was called into play after the two golfers displayed some eye catching golf in the final round to finish level par-72. Rugumayo, 25, scored three birdies in a row on holes 12, 17 and 18 in the play-off to snatch the trophy from Otile, who was chasing a hat-trick.
He consequently won himself a fully paid trip to Kenya including an air ticket to play in the Nyari Open in November, from the sponsors who were also impressed by his display
Rugumayo, who had a five-way tie on the top after the third round, attributed his win to his third round three-under-par-69 and but also to his short game that was on in the last two rounds.
"I won this tournament yesterday (third round). When I looked at what Otile had returned, I knew there was still a chance. After the second round I was 27th so my target in the third was to play under which I achieved and in the final I also I aimed for level and got it " Rugumayo noted.
The many fans he won over after some good display on the course also helped him gain confidence as the defending champion struggled on some holes.
"I also didn't know I had many fans here and thought all were for Otile but after realizing a good number was rooting for me, that also fired me up and I didn't want to disappoint them,"
"I think this is the right time to win it because I have been looking for it for the past 5 years and only messing up on the last day but I was able to cool my nerves this time. I have spent over a month here following our participation in the East African challenge, so I played the course like I was at home, but I was also patient with my chipping and putting, which matters a lot on this course," Rugumayo, whose best finish had been 5th place in 2015 said.
Otile praised his team mate for putting up a good fight. "I congratulate Rugumayo, we had a good time on the course and he played well and I really appreciate that and I'm happy for him," Otile said.
"We all started well and were three-under by the 9th-hole but I got a double bogey and he got a par and he led by two strokes up to hole No.13. But hole-no.15 did torture me this time and I dropped 7 strokes there over the four days and overall my putting was off this time," Otile who is headed to the US for another scholarship at the Chicago State University, said.
Kenya's Paul Muchangi and Samuel Njoroge finished third and fourth respectively with another South Africa based Ugandan, Daniel Baguma finishing fifth.
The different winners were crowned at a colorful ceremony in the night by Juliana Kaggwa from the main sponsors Tusker and co-sponsors from Mac East Africa, Multiple Industries, Roke Telecom, NTV and HTC Hub.
Results Top 30 amateurs
Ronald Rugumayo (UG) 80; 78; 69; 72; 299
Ronald Otile (UG) 72; 79; 76; 72; 299
Paul Muchangi (KE) 76; 77; 78; 69; 300
Samuel Njoroge (KE) 77; 79; 71; 74; 301
Daniel Baguma (UG) 75; 74; 78; 76; 303
Ismail Muhamood (UG) 74; 78; 81; 71; 304
Dennis Asaba (UG) 74; 76; 78; 78; 306
Alloys Nsabimana (RW) 78; 75; 76; 77; 306
Edwin Mudanyi (KE) 77; 79; 80; 72; 308
Herman Mutebi (UG) 76; 76; 76; 80; 308
Robinson Owiti (KE) 82; 76; 77; 74; 309
Abraham Ainamani (UG) 75; 80; 75; 79; 309
Rodwell Gaita (UG) 77; 77; 73; 83; 310
Joseph Mawejje (UG) 75; 77; 79; 79; 310
David Kamulindwa (UG) 74; 83; 77; 77; 311
Adolf Muhumuza (UG) 75; 84; 77; 76; 312
John Karichu (KE) 77; 81; 81; 74; 313
Andrew Byaruhanga (UG) 78; 82; 73; 80; 313
Richard Baguma (UG) 74; 73; 81; 86; 314
Becca Mwanja (UG) 81; 79; 75; 79; 314
Alfred Nandwa (KE) 77; 81; 77; 79; 314
Godfrey Nsubuga (UG) 82; 73; 79; 81; 315
Titus Okwong (UG) 78; 80; 78; 79; 315
Mike Kisia (KE) 79; 75; 80; 81; 315
Joseph Cwinyai (UG) 76; 78; 86; 76; 316
Andrew Chelongoi (KE) 80; 73; 80; 84 317
Emmanuel Jakisa (UG) 81; 77; 82; 77; 317
Ancel Tumwesigye (UG) 79; 79; 78; 81; 317
Ashavin Kananathan (UG) 74; 85; 79; 81; 319
Denis Saikwa (KE) 75; 81; 79; 84; 319
GROSS WINNERS
Ronald Rugumayo 299
Ronald Otile 299
Paul Muchangi 300
GROSS WINNERS- 36 holes
Day 1&2: Richard Baguma 147
Day 3&4: Samuel Njoroge 145
DAY WINNERS
GROSS - 18 HOLES
Day-one: Kananathan Ashvin 74
Day-two: Tiyale Getaneh 73
Day-3: Andrew Byaruhanga 73
Day-4: Ismail Muhamood 71
SENIORS GROSS
Matata Onyango 83 87 83 86 339
NETT WINNERS
Andrew Chelongoi 75 68 75 79 297
Godfrey Nsubuga 77 68 74 76 295
Ancel Tumwesigye 73 73 72 75 293
SUBSIDIARY GROUP A (HC 8-12)
David Scanlon 66cb
Joseph Ngobi 67
Pierre Ascedu 68
GROUP B (HC 12-18)
Michael Monne 70
Charles Kagombe 66cb
Michael Monne 66
SENIORS
Charles Katarikawe 62
Bill Smith 64