Otile faces classy field as Uganda Open starts

Sep 03, 2019

His biggest challenge will come from the likes of Joseph Cwinya-ai, Denis Asaba and Victor Joseph from Tanzania

Uganda's Ronald Otile is ready to defend the Castle Lite Uganda Open title but expects a fresh challenge as the tournament tees off at the Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa on Wednesday.

Otile flew in from the US where he is attending college last week to defend his title but is up against a galaxy of golfers from around the world.

"It will be challenging but it is very possible for me to win again. This is a beautiful but challenging course with lots of wind but I think we shall work it out because these are some of the challenges that we face as golfers and sometimes we overcome them," Otile said before he went for his practice round today.

"But it is a different challenge with lots of new players who have come; I think they will love the course and they will enjoy it. I will just pray that the rains don't disrupt us at least in the first two rounds so that we can have a smooth start,"

His biggest challenge will come from the likes of Joseph Cwinya-ai, Denis Asaba, Victor Joseph from Tanzania, Boyd Kapalamoto from Zambia and Kenya's Samuel Njoroge and Daniel Nduva with whom they share the same handicap (+2).

Other challengers include AJ Coetzee and Christian Schuttle from South Africa, Stefan Krisch from Sweden,Taimur Malik from Pakistan as well as Michael Kisia, Adel Balala and Zubair Khan from Kenya among others.

astle ites hionah umata 2nd left  president nnocent ihika center heodor van ooyen 2nd right and arbara annono right pose after officially teeing off the ganda pen mateurs tournament at ake ictoria erena olf esort and pa hoto by ichael subugaCastle Lite's Phionah Sumata (2nd left), UGU president Innocent Kihika (center), Theodor van Rooyen (2nd right) and Barbara Nannono (right) pose after officially teeing off the Uganda Open Amateurs tournament at Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

 

"I expect to play well this a better course than ours at home and I'm hoping for the best," regular campaigner Samuel Njoroge who finished third in Kampala in 2017 said.

Castle Lite's Phionah Sumata, alongside other sponsors' representatives; Barbara Nannono (sales and marketing Liquid Telecom), Theodor van Rooyen (Serena) and UGU president Innocent Kihika teed-off the tournament.

"We are proud to associate with the sport and we hope to see great talent exhibited here and see the best person emerge, winner," Sumata said.

Nannono said they were hoping to continue associating with the sport while the director of golf at Serena Theodor van Rooyen said they were looking forward to an exciting two weeks of golf following an equally thrilling one during the ladies tournament.

"We have done a lot of preparations to have the golf course in shape and we hope everyone will enjoy their rounds,"

Uganda Golf Union president Kihika said 265 players had registered to play in the amateur event which is also going to act as a world ranking tournament.

"I have spoken to the Kenyans and they have a point to prove so they are going to make it more competitive. I thank all our sponsors for making the tournament happen," Kihika stated.

Last year, as he celebrated his 23rd birthday, Otile beat Kenya's John Karichu by a stroke in another thrilling, dramatic and nervy finish to win the tournament in Entebbe.

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