Golf: Indiza wins fifth Uganda professionals title

After playing second fiddle to Zimbabwe based Portuguese golfer Stephen Ferreira last year and to South Africa's Joshua Seale the previous year, Kenya's Dismas Indiza was determined not to allow golfers from the South take the Uganda Open again.

It is for this reason that for the past three weeks, the 50-year-old Kenyan has worked hard, hitting 300-400 ball on the range and playing 36 holes everyday to ensure he takes the biggest share of sh185m in the Castle Lite Uganda Open played at Entebbe.

And his hard work paid off when he bagged sh41m, the biggest share for the professional open that ended on Saturday. Although he struggled a bit in the final round, he had already set an unassailable lead in the first three rounds to win his fifth Uganda championship, adding to his 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2012 wins.

Indiza carded 274 gross, four and eight strokes better than Greg Snow and Zambia's John Moore Dayne who finished second and third respectively.

 AAR's Derrick Ajina presents the winners trophy to David Scanlon who won the Seniors' Group A during the Professionals Open at Entebbe Club

"I trained hard for this tournament for the past three weeks, hitting 300-400 balls on the range, chipping and putting as well as playing 36 holes every day because I really wanted to win this tournament. As Kenyans we had also vowed not to let the South African, Zimbabweans and or Zambians win this, so I told them I was ready," Indiza said.

"Most of our colleagues want this money, but they don't want to work for it. I am happy the money has been increased by the sponsors. This will make us work hard to win some good amounts," Indiza who won his biggest cheque ever stated.

Uganda's best player Dennis Anguyo who finished fourth was a double winner not only getting cash, but an all-expenses paid trip to South Africa for a chance to play in the Sunshine Big Easy tour tournaments and also a chance to gain full IGT membership and access to 40 tournaments courtesy of GoGolf.

 The best amateur in the Professionals Open Ronald Otile (left) receives prizes from Barclays Bank's Annette Kiconco and Stephen Opio Odongo after the event

Another Ugandan Happy Robert finished joint fourth while debutant Richard Baguma and Willy Kitata tied for tenth place.

The event was crowned by a dinner attended by the professional golfers and sponsors representatives. The event was sponsored by Castle Lite, Rwenzori Water, AAR, Britam, Kwese, Gems Cambridge, Minet, Time Cop, CBA, Ernst and Young, Jumia, Nation Media and Barclays Bank.

Final Leader board-Top ten

Dismas Indiza            (KE) 68; 65; 68; 73; 274

Greg Snow                (KE) 69; 68; 69; 72; 278

Dayne John Moore      (ZAM) 69; 67; 74; 72; 282

Denis Anguyo             (UG) 70; 74; 69; 70; 283

Happy Robert             (UG) 72; 69; 68; 74; 283

Madalisto Muthiya       (ZAM) 76; 66; 66; 77; 285

Stephen Ferreira         (ZIM) 73; 70; 72; 71; 286

Robson Chinoi            (ZIM) 69; 73; 72; 74; 288

Simon Ngige              (KE) 70; 69; 75; 74; 288

Richard Baguma           (UG) 72; 74; 72; 72; 290

Willy Kitata             (UG) 70; 74; 68; 78; 290

Best Amatuer

Ronald Otile 73; 75; 72; 74; 294

Subsidiary results

Group A

Robbins Mwehaire 62pts

Michael Tumusiime 64

Serwano Walusimbi 66

Group B

Mark Kaddumukasa 66pts

David Kateregga 70

Michael Monne 75

Seniors Group A

David Scanlon 59pts

Group B

Antonio Difonzo 70