Local professional Vincent Byamukama on Tuesday emerged the biggest winner at the Absa Bank Pro-Am event of the Tusker Malt Uganda Golf Open played at Entebbe Club’s par-71 golf course.
Playing under team TML Three, Byamukama and his team of amateurs comprising of; Jovia Tugume, Alexander Matsiko and Charles Kabunga shot a winning nett score of 207.
Byamukama managed 68, amateurs Tugume and Matsiko shot 72 and 67 respectively to earn their side a top spot finish in the curtain raiser event of the Professionals Open. The results of the pro and those of the best two amateurs were considered to determine the overall score of each team.
Byamukama was awarded with a pro kitty UGX2.5M courtesy of Absa Bank Uganda while the amateurs received trophies and vouchers.
To take second place, Edwin Mudanyi (team NTV One) and his group beat fellow Kenyan pro Greg Snow (team Case Medical Services One) and his amateur team mates by 209 nett but on count back with the former taking a cash prize of UGX1.5M while the latter took UGX1M.
The players on Mudanyi’s (73) team included John Muchiri (70), Jenina Nasimolo (66) and Salleh Kalema (73) whilst Snow’s (70) team had Wendy Angudeyo (70), Patrick Kagoro (69) and Katy Kabenge (74).
Top professionals, both local and foreign put in a good shift at the tournament with Entebbe’s Herman ‘Deco’ Mutebi shooting 3 under par 68, finishing joint-top (pros only) with South Africa’s Joshua Seale.
As pros rubbed shoulders with amateurs on and off the course, it was delight for Mumba Kalifungwa, the Absa Bank Uganda Managing Director who noted that their involvement in the event is a way of giving back to the community.
“Sports enables you to bring possibilities to life that’s why we are proud to be lead sponsors of the Pro-Am,” Kalifungwa who shot 74 in his group said adding that; “I had a great time playing the Pro-Am tournament…”
However, the top 10 amateurs (nett score) from the Pro-Am event got sponsorship from Absa Bank to participate in the forthcoming Magical Kenya Open. The players are; Robert Ejiku (71), Joseph Kimani (71), John Muchiri (70), Wendy Angudeyo (70), Joseph Adrapi (70), Patrick Kagoro (69), Walter Tukahirwa (68), Alexander Matsiko (67), Jenina Nasimolo (66) & Collin Subika (65).
However, the Tusker Malt Uganda Golf Open will be capped with the Professionals Open that winds down on Saturday, 4th December. On the same day, the President’s Shield will also be played.
