Over the weekend, Kilembe Mines Golf Club found in the Western District of Kasese hosted and won the 2022 Helmet Cup at its par-73 course. 79 players were in the mix.
The home side hosted and came up against Entebbe Club’s team and beat the traveling party when they managed a cumulative score of 1108 nett against the latter’s 1230 nett.
Save the clinics and junior engagements that have been happening at the facility, Kilembe hadn’t held a big event for so long and the Helmet Cup, sponsored by Hima Cement finally reinstated competitions at the club something the Club Secretary Habib Kissande delights in.
“To us it’s an achievement,” Kissande said adding that; “apart from the junior tournaments that we have been organizing in the last two years, we hadn’t held a golf tournament since 2015. So, we are glad we finally hosted one and we’re looking forward to hosting more this year.”
Kissande was runner up in men’s Group A off 73 nett, just a stroke behind group leader Joseph Cwinya-ai. He (Kissande) says that they put in the work and it yielded fruits.
“Our hard work paid off. We really worked hard on the course to win this Cup. Being that we lost to Entebbe in 2015, we had to use our home course advantage to win,” Kissande noted.
As it is the case in many up country settings, Kilembe too struggles with stereotype surrounding the game of birdies and boggies but Kissande says efforts are in place to ensure that youngsters and th like take up the sport.
“Our local community still thinks golf is for financially rich people. As a golf club we have been organizing golf day events, where by people come by and we introduce them to golf. Also, we have been introducing new golfers through our junior/golf development programs,” Kissande said.
The club is set to host another tournament in the shape of Galahad Open that will run from 20th – 21st May 2022.
However, the next edition of the Helmet Cup will happen on 25th/June/2022 at Entebbe club and the team from Kilembe have vowed to keep the winners’ accolade at their grasp.
Meanwhile, at Kilembe, Peter Obita who was playing on home course and Lillian Koowe (guest) were the male and female overall winners with 67 and 70 nett scores respectively.
Kilembe’s top performers included Ronald Kwikiriza (70), Ronald Bwambale (71), ennis Tembo (72), Habib Kissande (73), Godfrey Bwambale (73), Martin Tuhumwire (73), Paul Kasaija (74), Gad Musasizi (75), Joseph Tusiime (76), Joseph Otwane (76), Wilfred Kusemererwa (78), Jimmy Begwa (78) and Jonny Rowland (79).
Entebbe club’s best player was Andrew Atuhaire with 70 nett.
Other Entebbe players were Michael Olwol Monne (78), Herbert Mwetemba (80), Nasser Mackie (81), Bulhan Matovu (81), Jacob Byamukama (81), Emmanuel Mugabi (84), Pamela Tumusiime (84), Kathy Kwagala (84), Rita Akot Apell (85), Patrick Mugisha Muntu (86), Paker Kagumya (86) and Steven Henry Kitamirike (86).
In the seniors category, Steven Kitamirike won the 60-69 years’ men category with 85 nett and Jill Pinder Birungi (73 Nett) took the female category.
In the 70 years and above category (seniors), Gilbert Atwooki scored 80 nett to win the group.
Winners in respective groups and categories won trophies and other goodies in a miners’ overall and helmet themed 19th hole experience.
