Rugumayo proves his class with Entebbe Open win

As he collected his Entebbe Open championship prizes, Ronald Rugumayo wore a jumper with "Keep Calm I'm a Ninja" words inscribed in-front of it.

And he seems to be turning into one "Ninja" in the game of golf in the country and recapping one of his best years in golf after he won the Castle Lite Entebbe Open on Saturday.

Rugumayo smiles as he gives a speech after the tournament at Entebbe Club. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

The 25 year old, Toro Club golfer and national team vice-captain returned 150 gross over 36 holes to once again emerge the best at the Castle Lite Entebbe Open.

He is now headed to the Tanzania Open, next weekend where he hopes to challenge the likes of Tanzania national team captain Victor Joseph, Seif Mcharo and Saidi Amani.

But despite coming top of the two-day event at Entebbe Club, Rugumayo who is eyeing turning pro, having won the Uganda Open and most recently the Kinyara Open was not happy with his score.

"Yes I have won, but such scores cannot take me anywhere on the big stage where I want to go, so I'm not happy. Any other player would be excited to win this tournament with such a score but for me that showed a lack of consistence," Rugumayo who shot a closing round nine-over-par 80 noted.

"I missed all the fairways in the second round because I wanted to attack and even do better, but I ended up in the trees throughout; and when things did not work, I stuck to the same strategy," Rugumayo who scored 15 pars, 2 birdies and a bogey on hole no. 17 on day one, said.

He wrapped up the win with 3 birdies on the second day on holes 13, 15 and 18.

Palm Valley's Abraham Ainamani who was second best for the second year running, and was 2 strokes off blamed it on luck.

Castle Lite brand manager Julian Ssentamu (L) presents a trophy to professional Vincent Byamukama after the tournament. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

 Entebbe Club chairman Twinemanzi Tumubweinee (L) present prizes to Group A winner Meron Kyomugisha. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

"I think I'm just unlucky. Last year I lost by one stroke, this year by two. My putting let me down as I was one over by hole-No. 11 but then I started three-putting," Ainamani said.

In the professionals' category, Entebbe golfer Vincent Byamukama took the biggest share of sh10m after finishing level overall, over 36 holes.

Other Entebbe products Deo Akope and Peter Sendaula finished second and third respectively, two and four strokes behind the winner Britam Insurance sponsored Byamukama who has maintained his tradition of winning at least a tournament in Entebbe every other year.

UGU vice-president Innocent Kihiika (L) presents a trophy to Paul Baite who was third in the men'd Group C. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Castle Lite brand manager Julian Ssentamu presided over the prize ceremony where she also unveiled the new Castle Lite 375ml bottle.

Overall winners

Gross: Ronald Rugumayo 150

Nett-Men: Lin Hung Jung 68

Ladies: Tian Qui Xiang 70

Seniors: Patrick Magala 75

Group A

Isaac Mariera 72c/b

Yunus Bbaale 72

Paul Baite 73

Group B

James Eyul 70nett

Geoffrey Orach 71

Stanley Muhwezi 72

Group C

Charles Kabunga 72c/b

Zhang Jian Peng 72c/b

Wu Wei Ling 72

Ladies Group A

Meron Kyomugisha 74nett

Irene Nakalembe 75

Group B

Grace Njeri 73

Hannah Kwon 74

Gross top five

Ronald Rugumayo 70 80 150

Abraham Ainamani 76 76 152

Davis Kato 76 79 153

Ismail Muhamood 78 77 155

Becca Mwanja 76 79 155

Pros top five

Vincent Byamukama 69 73 142

Deo Akope 69 75 144

Peter Sendaula 72 74 146

Phillip Kasozi 76 71 147

Brian Toolit 73 75 148