Few would have predicted Joseph Kasozi to feature in the pressure group of the gross amateur event at Lugazi Hills Golf & Country Club on the final day of the Pearl of Africa (POA) Golf Series. Fewer still could have foreseen him walking away with the title. But in a remarkable twist, the seasoned amateur golfer defied the odds to clinch victory, becoming the first winner of a POA event hosted in Lugazi.
Kasozi’s triumph comes as a significant boost ahead of the prestigious Johnnie Walker Uganda Open, set to be held at the same course in just over a month. His final round score of 71—featuring four birdies and four bogeys—was enough to edge out early pacesetter Juma Abiti by two strokes.
“I knew that I had it once I crossed the halfway mark at two-under,” Kasozi said after his win. “I played with two talented young men in Joel Okoth and Asuman Tumwesigye, and I really enjoyed my time on the course with them.”
Interestingly, all the top five finishers in the amateur category shared a common thread—their first names all begin with the letter ‘J’. Kasozi took top honours, followed by Juma Abiti in second, Joseph Cwinya-ai in third, Joel Okoth in fourth, and Joseph Kanolera in fifth.
Kasozi now becomes the third winner of the POA Series inaugural season, joining previous champions John Musiimenta (UGC) and Michael Tumusiime (Entebbe). For his efforts, he walks away with a cash prize of UGX 1.7 million and plenty of momentum heading into next month’s Uganda Open.
“There can’t be a better form of inspiration than this,” said a smiling Kasozi.
In the ladies’ gross amateur category, Martha Babirye claimed a dominant eight-stroke victory after her closest challenger, Meron Kyomugisha, faltered dramatically with a final round of 93. Although Babirye didn’t particularly shine on Friday, Kyomugisha’s collapse turned the final day into a one-sided affair after she trailed by four strokes at the halfway stage.
In the professional ranks, Ronald Rugumayo remains in pole position to secure his first POA Series title. The South Africa-based pro, sponsored by MTN, leads by one stroke over Rodell Gaita Taddeo and by two strokes over Marvin Max Kibirige.
The Lugazi leg of the Pearl of Africa Golf Series has received notable support from the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), MTN-Uganda, Vivo Energy, Aquafina, IOTEQ, Home Bliss, NBS Sport, and the Uganda Golf Union, among others.
