National team players Cosmos Ociti and Winnie Musuya emerged winners in the boys’ and girls’ categories (gross) during the Hisense Uganda Junior Open held on Saturday at Entebbe Club’s par-71 golf course.
Graced by a total of 123 youngsters from across the country, the Hisense Uganda-sponsored junior showpiece served as a curtain raiser for the 83rd Uganda Open Golf Championship that tees off next week at the same venue.
Playing at home, Ociti, who was also one of the most experienced juniors on the course, shot an impressive 1-under-par 70 to win the boys’ category.
Musuya, who hails from Lugazi Hills, posted 8-over-par 79 to emerge as the best girl.
The overall winners walked home with a trophy and a 40-inch Hisense TV each. The nett winners also claimed the same prizes.
Ssemakula Ibrahim from Lugazi Hills finished second in the boys’ gross category with a total score of 71. Ssemakula’s performance was closely contested by third-place finisher Jiunji Charles from Mary Louise Simkins, who ended the tournament with a gross score of 74.
Laura Natukunda from Toro Golf Club and Bholim Ariana from Uganda Golf Club were the other podium finishers in the girls’ gross category with scores of 80 and 82, respectively.
The runners-up each received 32-inch Hisense TVs, while the second runners-up got Hisense microwaves. This was the same case for nett runners-up and second runners-up.
In the boys’ nett category, Trevor Mutawe beat Edward Kule on count back (63) to emerge as the winner, while Idd Mubaraka finished third with 66 nett.
In the girls’ nett category, Victoria McKenzie emerged as the winner with 69 nett. Anthea Tumusiime (63) and Esther Ayeta Jethra (64 on count back) completed the podium.
The National Council of Sports (NCS) Chairman, Ambrose Tashobya, and Hisense Marketing Manager, Kakembo Ivan, presided over the awards session of the event.
“Each of you has demonstrated that the future of this sport is bright, and I have no doubt that many of you will go on to achieve great things in the years to come. Remember, it’s not just about the trophies, but about the lessons you learn and the friendships you forge along the way. Congratulations to everyone who participated, and let’s continue to support and encourage these young talents as they grow both on and off the course,” Tashobya said.
Hisense was happy to be part of the event, especially by providing prizes for the youngsters, something that surely motivated the young golfers to do their best in order to have the exciting prizes within their grasp.
“It’s an absolute pleasure for us to support this incredible event and to witness the outstanding talent displayed by these young golfers. At Hisense, we believe in the power of sport to inspire, build character, and teach invaluable life lessons. We are committed to nurturing the next generation of golfers, and it’s clear that the future of golf is in great hands,” Kakembo said.
Hisense’s selection of prizes fit well with the mindsets of enthusiastic and determined youngsters who, having been victorious, were awarded screens they could utilize smartly to enhance their golf knowledge, etiquette, and techniques by watching the game played at the highest level.
