Herman Deco Mutebi delivered a masterclass in consistency and composure to win the Pearl of Africa Golf Series at the Entebbe Club with a wire-to-wire performance over four days of intense action.
Mutebi, a former caddie, opened the tournament with an impressive round of 68 to take the early lead—a position he would not relinquish. Many doubted his ability to withstand the pressure from top professional golfers, but the resilient Deco silenced critics with a closing round of 70 to finish at five-under-par 279, two shots ahead of Rodell Gaita Tadeo.
The final day produced fireworks as Gaita mounted a spirited comeback, birdieing the seventh hole. Deco responded immediately with a birdie on the eighth. Both players carded matching scores of 34 on the front nine. On the tenth, Deco missed the green but recovered for par, while Gaita scrambled to get within a stroke of the lead.
A turning point came on the eleventh hole when Gaita three-putted, allowing Deco to extend his advantage with a steady par. Deco then produced a moment of brilliance on the par-3 twelfth, chipping in crisply to maintain control. He followed that up with a crucial birdie to stay ahead.
Gaita again threatened on the thirteenth with a birdie, but Deco held his nerve, and after Gaita missed a short birdie opportunity on the fifteenth, Deco capitalized. A bogey by Gaita on the sixteenth gave Deco breathing space, and he managed the remaining holes with precision to seal a three-stroke lead heading into the final hole.
He maintained composure even on the 18th where a penalty forced him into a double bogey. Still, with enough cushion, Deco secured a well-deserved victory that showcased not only his golf skills but his mental fortitude and maturity.
Gaita finished second ahead of Silver Opio, David Kamulindwa, Abraham Ainamani, Philip Kasozi, and Davis Kato. On Friday, Michael Tumusiime triumphed in the amateurs’ category, fending off challenges from Elton Thembo and Samuel Bazaale.
Mutebi took home the lion’s share of the Shs20 million professionals’ prize kitty.
