Mwanja and Wanzala retain Pepsi Independence Day Golf titles

Babirye receives prizes - a trophy, 40inch TV and goodies from Mukwano - from
 chief guest Minister Byabagambi and Pepsi Chief Amoz Nzeyi 

Pepsi Independence Golf 

Overall winners
Men
Becca Mwanja  41 Stableford points
Women
Martha Babirye 33 Stableford points

Professionals
Fred Wanzala 9 under par 207
Top 7 in professional category
Fred Wanzala  70 | 72 | 65  *207
Phillip Kasozi  78 | 71 | 74  *223
V.Byamukama 72 | 75 | 77 *224
Happy Robert 76 | 72 | 77 * 225
A.Ainamani     76 | 76 | 74 * 226
Silver Opio     77 | 75 | 77 * 229
Onito Opio     81 | 73 | 75 * 229

Palm Valley | LOUIS JADWONG | Becca Mwanja carded 41 points and Fred Wanzala played mesmerizing golf as they retained their Pepsi Independence Golf Open titles on Tuesday.

Mwanja topped the men's category in the main event at the Palm Valley 9-hole Golf and Country Club, with Martha Babirye's 33 points outstanding in the women's contest. It is Babirye's first win at the annual Independence Open played at the course in Akright Kakungulu estate.

Wanzala secured the top prize in the professional golfers sh30million category, beating his nearest challenger by an astonishing 16 strokes over 54 holes. He ended the day with a 9-under par score.

The Serena Pro hit an astonishing 65 (7-under par) in the final 18 holes to destroy the field. "This time I didn't take chances. Since last week at the Johnnie Walker Open a 4 stroke lead going into the final day wasn't enough to secure victory for me, I said this time it will be at least 7 strokes going into the final 18 holes," said Wanzala, about his winning margin.

All winners of various categories, from top Kiconco, Mwanja, Wanzala, Magala

The winners received a variety of prizes at a colourful ceremony attended by former ministers Jim Muhwezi, John Nassasira and current Minister in charge of Karamoja Affairs John Byabagambi, officials from tournament sponsors, including Maggie Kigozi of Crown Beverages.

Crown Beverages Board Chairman Amos Nzeyi said the over 200 golfers who competed was testimony to the growing popularity of the Independence Day Open, that they are sponsoring for a 9th straight year.

Crown Beverages are the main sponsors, supported by ICEA, Stanbic Bank, Sheraton Hotel and Mukwano Industries. The partners put up a total sh100m to organise this year's edition, the pro and amateur main event.

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Main Prizes

Overall winners
Men
Becca Mwanja  41 points  *Countback
Women
Martha Babirye 33 points

Group B (Ladies)
Winner: Annet Kiconco (22points)
1st runners up: Grace Kabonero (21 points) *Countback
2nd runners up: Wendy  Angudeyo (21 points)

Group A (Ladies)
Winner: Eva Magala (28 points)
1st Runners up: Peace Kabaweska (26 points)
2nd Runners up: Irene Nakalembe (25 points)

Men (Group A):
Winner: Collins Adijra (41 Points)
1st Runners up: Michael Tumusiime (40 Points)
2nd Runner up: Bashir Baguma (38 points)

Men (Group B)
Winner: Mark Lutwama (35 Points)
1st Runners up: Michael Monnie (31 points) *Countback
2nd Runners up: Dr Peter Apell (31 points)

Men (Group C)
Winner: General Gier (38 Stable ford points)
1st Runners up: Dickson (31 Stable ford points)
2nd Runners up: Eddy Chou (31 Stable ford points)

Longest Drive
Men: Michael Tumusiime
Women:Irene Nakalembe

Nearest to the pin

Men: Fred Kimbugwe

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Past winners 

2017: Becca Mwanja (Men), Gloria Mbaguta (Ladies) & Fred Wanzala (Pros)
2016: Wu Wei Ling (Men), Eva Magala (Ladies) & Dennis Anguyo (Pros)
2015: Enock Nuwagaba (Men) & Evelyn Asiimwe (Ladies)
2014: Davis Kashaka (Men), Flavia Namakula (Ladies) & Vincent Byamukama (Pros)
2013: Don Gorman (Men), Angel Eaton (Ladies) & Silver Opio (Pros)
2012: Charles Dickens Langoya (Men), Getrude Acato (Ladies) & Deo Akope (Pros)

*******

Last week's results at the Sh25million Lake Victoria 
Serena Johnnie Walker Golf ⛳️ Open 2018
▶️ Leader-board top 4- Professional category 
Kasozi    75 | 77 | 70 *222 
Wanzala  72 | 76 | 77 *225 
Mutawe  75 | 77 | 73  *225
J.Seale   75| 81 | 71 *227

Kasozi (left) is congratulated by Wanzala after the final hole last week.
Roles changed at the Pepsi Open

Pro Golfer Wanzala holds onto lead, going for it

Wanzala eyeing top prize in sh25 million tournament

Lake Victoria Serena Johnnie Walker Golf ⛳️ Open 2018
▶️ Leader-board after 36 holes - Professional category 
Wanzala  72 | 76 | 148 
Kasozi    75 | 77 | 152
Mutawe  75 | 77 | 152
***J.Seale   75| 81| 156
(*** Guest player)

Kigo, Uganda | LOUIS JADWONG | A week after being bundled out of the Uganda Open for not being good enough to make the cut, Fred Wanzala has shown the resilience expected of a professional golfer by bouncing back quickly and strongly. 

After setting the pace with a 72 on Wednesday, Wanzala's 76 strokes on day two of the Lake Victoria Serena Johnnie Walker Open has cemented his lead to four with 18 holes to go. 

Wanzala, who is a resident pro at the Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa, has taken full advantage of home ground to show the consistency that could not only give him his first win this year, but also first at the lake-side Victoria Par 72 Links Course.

A memorable victory it would be, in a week in which the new facility, is launched.

But it is not all over, as he will likely be stretched by several players who were well ahead of him at the Uganda Open last week.

Phillip Kasozi and Herman Mutawe are in striking range, four strokes back with 36 hole totals of 152 despite other big names falling by the wayside. Deo Akope, Stephen Kasaija and Richard Baguma all failed to make the cut.

Tooro Club's teenage sensation David Kamulindwa made the cut and at 156 gross is lying sixth.

The Johnnie Walker Open teed off on Wednesday morning, with 35 Ugandan golfers eyeing the lion's share of the sh25 million prize money lined up. 

Also on the course at Kigo is guest player, Joshua Seale from South Africa. 

The 2016 Uganda Professional Open champion failed to make the cut at the Entebbe Course last week, but has an opportunity not only to bounce back and regain lost pride, but prepare a year in advance for the next edition that will be played for the first time at the picturesque Lake Victoria 18-hole course in 2019.

The Serena lake-side Course will be officially launched on Saturday after four days of golf starting with the professionals over three days. Saturday's official launch will be preceded by an 18-hole invite-only contest by over 200 amateurs. (click to read full amateurs draw)

Serena's tournament partners are Johnnie Walker, Barclays, DSTV, PEPSI, AfriSafe, Victoria Motors.

The 18th hole at the par 72 Kigo golf course.

A history of Serena Golf Resort & Spa

Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa, located to the south of Kampala in Uganda, just recently completed a second nine holes on its golf course designed by Kevin Ramsey of Golfplan, reports golfcoursearchitecture.net.

The resort began working with Golfplan in 2008, with construction of the first nine holes beginning at the end of 2009. Work on the second nine began in 2016 and will officially be opened at this inaugural Serena Johnnie Walker Golf Open Championship.

“The holes that were completed in the first phase were a mix of front and back nine holes,” said Ramsey in an interview with golfcoursearchitecture.net

He told golfcoursearchitecture.net that “There is no difference in style, we are just pushing on to the far end of the site. The key feature of the entire site is the proximity and view to Lake Victoria. Visible on all holes and in play on three including both finishing holes."

Ramsey, who will be one of several guests at the launch on Saturday, says the course is a unique gem.

“This is a very unique one-of-a-kind golf facility in the sense that access to the marina is between the ninth and eighteenth holes. I can’t think of anywhere in the world where I have seen anything like this. The course is very natural in its feel and meanders through the site and down to the papyrus groves on the lake."

According to golfcoursearchitecture.net , the resort is owned and has been developed by Kenyan-based contracting company Cementers, and of its CEO, Kartick Halai.

“The Lake Victoria Serena golf course is one of the most beautiful courses in the region, we could not be prouder to have it on our property and simply cannot wait to be positioned as the best golf and spa resort in Africa,” Anthony Chege, general manager of Serena Hotels Uganda, told golfcoursearchitecture.net

“There really is nothing like it. Serene and peaceful,” concluded Ramsey.
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Business partner Kevin Ramsey off to Uganda for the Grand Opening of Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa

— David M. Dale (@DavidMDale) October 3, 2018

• Day 2 results

1	WANZALA FRED	72	76	148
2	MUTAWE HERMAN	75	77	152
3	KASOZI PHILLIP	75	77	152
4	KATO DAVIS	76	78	154
5	OCHAYA MARTIN	79	76	155
6	KAMULINDWA DAVID	79	77	156
7	MUHUMUZA ADOLF	80	77	157
8	AINAMANI ABRAHAM	77	80	157
9	MAWA SAIDI	75	83	158
10	TOOLIT BRIAN	81	77	158
11	BYAMUKAMA VINCENT	83	76	159
12	BAGALANA ABBEY	80	79	159
13	ANGUYO DENIS	81	79	160
14	MAWEJJE JOSEPH	81	81	162
15	HAPPY ROBERT	83	79	162
16	KABUYE G	80	83	163
17	BUKENYA RONALD	81	82	163
18	RUGUMAYO RONALD	78	85	163
19
20
21	OPIO SILVER	83	81	164	MC
22	AKOPE DEO	83	81	164	MC
23	LUJJA HENRY	84	80	164	MC
24	ODOKONYERO IAN	78	87	165	MC
25	BAGUMA RICHARD	80	86	166	MC
26	OGWANG EMMA	86	81	167	MC
25	OPIO EMMA	88	79	167	MC
26	OLUBA ROBERT	88	80	168	MC
27	SADIA ATIBU	85	83	168	MC
28	KASAIJA STEVEN	88	86	174	MC
29	MUHAMOOD ISMAIL	93	82	175	MC
30	BAGALANA HUSSEIN	92	84	176	MC
31	OCICI GRACE	84	93	177	MC
32	MWESIGWA BRIAN	86	93	179	MC
33	GEORGE OLAYO				MC
	MUHENDA LAWRENCE	NR
	MANDE GODFREY

• Day 3 draw

	GROUP	GROUP	GROUP
	GAME 1	BUKENYA RONALD	10:00AM
		JOUSHA SEALE
	GAME 2	KABUYE GERALD	10:10AM
		RUGUMAYO RONALD
	GAME 3	ANGUYO DENIS	10;20 AM
		MAWEJJE JOSEPH
		HAPPY ROBERT
	GAME 4	TOOLIT BRIAN	10:30 AM
		BYAMUKAMA VINCENT
		BAGALANA ABBEY
	GAME 5	MUHUMUZA ADOLF	10:40AM
		AINAMANI ABRAHAM
		MAWA SAIDI
	GAME 6	KATO DAVIS	10:50 AM
		OCHAYA MARTIN
		KAMULINDWA DAVID
	GAME 7	WANZALA FRED	11:00 AM
		MUTAWE HERMAN
		KASOZI PHILLIP

F