2019 Castle Lite Uganda Golf Open
August 29 – 14th September
@Lake Victoria Serena golf course, Kigo
29th August: Ladies Open
4th September: Amateurs Open
11th September: Pros Open
The 78th edition of Castle Lite Uganda Golf Open championship tees off this Thursday till September 11 at the Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa, Kigo. It is the first time the state of the art course hosts the championship and a number of golfers from Uganda and around the world have confirmed participation which makes the 2019 edition even more exciting.
The championship tees off this Thursday with the Ladies Open, the amateurs will then follow on September 4 before the Pros take on the course on September 11. The odds are high in different categories.
Among the favorites is Uganda Golf Club star Martha Babirye, who missed the Ladies title by two shots to Tanzania’s Neema Olomi, who with 229 gross overall broke seven-year-old duopoly between Angel Howard Eaton (Tanzania) and Flavia Namakula (Uganda).
Babirye had a gross of 76 both on day one and two but returned 79 on day three while Olomi had 80, 74 and 75 respectively. She is expected to get onto the course much confident after winning one of the legs of the Stanbic Mug at Uganda Golf Club (UGC) and the second edition of the UGC Ladies Open.
Babirye will face tough opposition from Tanzania’s Angel Howard Eaton and Neema Olomi, who are the former and current title holders respectively. Other Ugandans to watch are; Irene Nakalembe (2nd last year), Gloria Mbaguta (5th last year), Eva Magala and Peace Kabasweka.
In the amateurs, mush odds lie with Ronald Otile who has enjoyed the favorite tag since Ronald Rugumayo and Herman Mutebi turned pro in 2018. Otile returned to winning ways last year after 2015 and 2016 triumph. Kenya’s Edwin Mudanyi and John Karichu are also fierce competitors as well as Joel Basalaine.
In professional, Kenya’s Dismas Indiza from Mumias Golf Club will be eager to defend his title he won last year in Entebe with 274 gross (68, 65, 68, and 73) after four rounds. The 51-year old is also the 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2012 champion, who seeks sixth crowning. Nelson Simwa (Kenya) who bagged Pro-Am cash last time is also expected to compete strongly.
The Pros meet will also double as one of the 2019 – 2020 Kenya Safari Series Tour legs slated 10th – 14th September 2019. Pros are playing for cash prize of $50,000 to be shared among themselves depending on performance in this year’s Uganda Open championship.
2018 Uganda Golf Open Winners
Ladies: Neema Olomi (TZ)
Amateurs: Ronald Otile (UG)
Pro Am: Nelson Simwa (KE)
Professionals: Dismas Indiza (KE)
