Teenage golfer Marvin Kibirige has expressed his delight in winning the main event (amateur category) of the inaugural NARO Equity Bank Golf Open that came to a close over the weekend at Marylouise Simkins Memorial Golf Club, Namulonge.
Kibirige, 19 emerged overall winner of the amateur category after returning 1 over par 143 from two rounds of play at Namulonge’s par-71 nine-hole golf course. He shot 1 under par 70 and 2 over par 73 in day one and two respectively.
“I am happy. I started playing golf in 2005 and I have grown up in Namulonge,” Kibirige said adding that; “I am so grateful for the win and hope to win more and more. I hope I can get a sponsor and then try to perform at the Uganda Open.”
In the opening round (Thursday), Kibirige, handicap 2 managed seven birdies, two double-bogeys and two bogeys and in the second round he had two birdies, double-bogey on Hole No.6 and two bogeys.
Kibirige won by just a stroke as runner up James Koto finished with 2 over par 144. Miracle Hassan Agotre was third with 3 over par 145 whilst Godfrey Nsubuga and Tom Jingo tied for fourth with 4 over par 146.
The Namulonge win is a consolation for Kibirige having finished second overall at the Kakira Open where Grace Kasango won days ago.
However, in the professionals category, Vincent Byamukama came atop a field of 11 golfers who made the money cut from the original 24 who registered for the event. He managed level par 142 while Deo Akope and Philip Kasozi tied for second with 1 over par 143 each.
In the subsidiary event that capped the competitive side of the tournament, Winnie Mutonyi emerged Ladies overall winner with 44 points, Lynet Anyango came second with 41 points while Dinah Ongol was third with 36 points.
In the men’s groups, Asuman Kaweesa topped Group A with 38 points while Gilbert Kiiza came second with 36 points, Martin Ssempijja was first in Group B off 43 points while Joel Okoth was runner up with 42 points and in Group C Peter Mayende was first with 40 points while Caleb Newman finished second off 39 points.
The NARO Equity Bank Open is the first major tournament to be held at Namulonge’s nine-hole course and now the custodians are hoping that they will be able to host more bigger tournaments going forward.
