Kenyan professional Justus Madoya is still in celebratory mood after winning his maiden Uganda Professional Golf Open during the event’s 16th staging that came to a close over the weekend at Entebbe Club’s par-71 lakeside golf course.
The Great Rift Valley Golf Resort star shot an overall 13 under par 271 (65, 68, 66, 72 respectively) to claim 22.5% of the tournament’s UGX100M pro kitty (courtesy of Tusker Malt Lager) in an event that also doubled as a Safari Tour leg.
However, Madoya attributes his triumph to a strong start to the championship as he posted a two-stroke lead when he returned 6 under par 65 in the opening round. Zimbabwe’s Visitor Mapawanya was second on the day with 4 under par 67.
“The first round was amazing,” Madoya said in a post tournament interview adding that; “I shot 65 and it really motivated me throughout the tournament, I told my self that yeah, I can do it. It’s been my dream to always play under par because I have been playing in the European Tour and Challenge Tour and the scores are always under par.”
On day two, Madoya finished second overall as title holder then, Robson Chinhoi (133 overall) stormed summit with a stroke ahead of former.
“I still believed that I can do it,” Madoya said as he shot 3 under par 68 on the day adding that shooting 5 under par 66 on day three that enabled him to regain lead was so beautiful.
On day four, the course seemed tough for the pressure group as well and Madoya himself shot 1 over par 72 but his good game in the first three rounds ensured that he won the tournament with an overall 13 under par 271, five strokes better than his countrymate Dismas Indiza who finished as runner up.
After the tournament, Madoya admits that he enjoyed himself at Entebbe Club, on and off the course.
“It has been beautiful and wonderful to be at Entebbe. it’s a beautiful place, wonderful golf course and very lovely people. I have really enjoyed playing here and I will come back for next year’s Uganda Golf Open,” Madoya said.
Madoya is the third Kenyan to win the Uganda Golf Open. Previous Kenyan winners are; Dismas Indiza (2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2018) and Richard Ainley who won in 2009.
The hosts have won it thrice, that is Deo Akope who won the inaugural edition in 2006 plus his victory in 2014 which is the last victory for Uganda till today. Vincent Byamukama won the 2013 edition.
However, this year’s Uganda Open main events have all been won by first timers, that’s is; Irene Nakalembe (Ladies Open), Joseph Cwinya-ai (Amateur) and now Justus Madoya in the paid category.
2021 Tusker Malt Uganda Golf Open winners.
LADIES: Irene Nakalembe (Uganda)
AMATEURS: Joseph Cwinya-ai (Uganda)
PROFESSIONALS: Justus Madoya (Kenya).
