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Saturday, 7 September 2019

Njoroge best placed to end 11-year Kenyan wait for Uganda Open title

Kenya's Njoroge tees off yesterday.
He is the overnight leader. PHOTO CASTLE-LITE MEDIA

SATURDAY
💠 Tee off 12.30pm
✳ S Njoroge 🇰🇪 213
✳ S Njogu 🇰🇪 215
✳ R Otile 🇺🇬 216
💠 Tee off 12.20pm
✳ D Nduva 🇰🇪 216
✳ J Cwinyaai 🇺🇬 221
✳ D Asaba 🇺🇬 223
💠Venue: Lake Victoria Serena

💠 LIVE: Results (click)
Final day draw (bottom)

Kigo, Uganda | LOUIS JADWONG | Kenya Railway Golf Club veteran Samuel Chege Njoroge gets an opportunity today to break an 11 year jinx for foreign entrants at the Uganda Amateur Golf Open.

Ugandans have won the last 11 Opens, with Njoroge's fellow countryman Nicholas Rokoine from Muthaiga Golf Club the last foreign entrant to win the title in 2007.

Overnight leader Njoroge marches into today's final round with a score of 213 from 54 holes, which is a two stroke lead over another Kenyan Simon Njogu, and three over defending champion Ronald Otile. The long-hitting Kenya Railway Club golfer has finished in the top 10 in his past two attempts, with a 4th place finish in 2017.

" This is a new course... everyone is new to it so whoever swings well, and whoever will have luck will win. I made some mistakes on Friday and if I try to avoid the mistakes, I believe I can win it," the Kenyan ace said.

Njoroge carded 68 to take the lead Friday, and is one of only five who have played under par in the first three rounds. Three of the five are in today's pressure group that promises a thrilling battle to a full gallery at the prestigious and picturesque Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa course at Kigo.

The Kenyans will however have to contend with favourite Otile, who has stormed from being 13 behind the day one leader Njogu, to playing in the pressure group.

Friday's all Kenyan pressure group heading to the back nine.
PHOTO LOUIS JADWONG

After a disastrous start, that saw him card 82 strokes on Wednesday, he remained optimistic, and warned that, "It is a game. I played +10 today, but I can still play -10 tomorrow."

He has come close to doing that already, hitting a course record 4 under 68 on Thursday, then breaking the record Friday with a stunning 6 under par 66 that had an eagle, six birdies and nine par scores in the 18 holes - completely demystifying the water hazards that dominate the course.

Otile

What will not be good news for his opponents is the fact that after his six-under par score on Friday, Otile still felt there is room for improvement. "I need to play the course as it is and on regulations. I'll also need to commit on putting tomorrow," he said, when asked about his thoughts ahead of D-day.

Last year, he came from 5 strokes behind in the very last 6 holes to win. A thrilling final day awaits golf fans at the 78th Uganda Amateur Golf Open. (watch video here)

Uganda Amateur Open Main Event Draw Day 4 - Uganda Open 2019 by The Independent Magazine on Scribd

Golf Open Winners since 1932
1932 – H.Davidson (Uganda Golf Club)
1933 – H.Davidson (Uganda Golf Club)
1934 – R.W Hooker (Muthaiga Golf Club)
1935 – J.D Rankine (Uganda Golf Club)
1936 – J.D Rankine (Uganda Golf Clun)
1937 – H. Davidson (Uganda Golf Club)
1938 – R.W Bun (Mombasa Golf Club)
1939 – J.E Higginson
1940 – 1947 NOT HELD
1948 – D. F Stewart (Uganda Golf Club)
1949 – A.Q Roberts (Kitale Golf Club)
1950 – N.C Elwell (Uganda Golf Club)
1951 – N.C Elwell (Mwanza Golf Club)
1952 – J.R Cooke (Uganda Golf Club)
1953 – R.W Hooper (Nairobi Golf Club)
1954 – M.Johnson (Kabalae Golf Club)
1955 – J.R Oglive (Kitale Golf Club)
1956 – J.R Oglive (Kitale Golf Club)
1957 – Ian McAdam (Uganda Golf Club)
1958 – Brian Malone (Uganda Golf Club)
1959 – Ian McAdam (Uganda Golf Club)
1960 – Mike Johnson (Mbale Golf Club)
1961 – Mike Johnson (Mbale Golf Club)
1962 – Mike Johnson (Mbale Golf Club)
1963 – John Higginson (Uganda Golf Club)
1964 – John Higginson (Uganda Golf Club)
1965 – Muhammed Rajab (Nairobi Golf Club)
1966 – John Higginson (Uganda Golf Club)
1967 – I.Pattinson (Dar es Salaam Golf Club)
1968 – G.Burrows (Uganda Golf Club)
1969 – M.Rajab(Nairobi Golf Club)
1970 – M.Couma (Uganda Golf Club)
1971 – J. Kahugu (Sigona Golf Club)
1972 – Ben Okello (Masaka Golf Club)
1973 – Tom Taban (Uganda Golf Club)
1974 – Alex Okodan (Uganda Golf Club)
1975 – Ramathan Kayamba (Uganda Golf Club)
1976 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1977 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1978 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1979 – 1980 – Not held
1981 – Juma Jaffer (Uganda Golf Club)
1982 – Juma Jaffer (Uganda Golf Club)
1983 – Sadi Onito (Uganda Golf Club)
1984 – John Mucheru (Uganda Golf Club)
1985 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1986 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1987 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1988 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1989 – Allan Njoroge (Muthaiga Golf Club)
1990- Dedan Kagonyera (Kabale Golf Club)
1991 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1992 – Juma Jaffer (Uganda Golf Club)
1993 – John Gavin (Uganda Golf Club)
1994 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1995 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1996 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1997 – Steven Birungi (Uganda Golf Club)
1998 – Steven Birungi (Uganda Golf Club)
1999 – Steven Birungi (Uganda Golf Club)
2000 – Deo Akope (Entebbe Golf Club)
2001 – Deo Akope (Entebbe Golf Club)
2002 – Deo Akope (Entebbe Golf Club)
2003 – Charles Yokwe (Jinja Golf Club)
2004 – David Odhiambo (Nyanza Golf Club)
2005 – Charles Yokwe (Jinja Golf Club)
2006 – Amos Kamya (Entebbe Golf Club)
2007 – Nicholas Rokoine (Muthaiga Golf Club)
2008 – George Olayo (Entebbe Golf Club)
2009 – Peter Ssendaula (Entebbe Golf Club)
2010 – Brian Mwesigwa (Kabale Golf Club)
2011 –Rogers Byaruhanga (Uganda Golf Club)
2012 – Phillip Kasozi (Uganda Golf Club)
2013 – Peter Ssendaula (Entebbe Golf Club)
2014 - Kitata (Entebbe Golf Club)
2015 - Ronald Otile (Tooro Golf Club)
2016 - Ronald Otile (Tooro Golf Club)
2017 - Ronald Rugumayo (Tooro Golf Club)
2018 - Ronald Otile (Tooro Golf Club)

Friday, 6 September 2019

A 66: Ronald Otile smashes Serena golf course record

Otile teeing off TODAY. PHOTO CASTLE-LITE MEDIA

▶ Otile DAY 3 #UGGolfOpen19 ⛳
✳ 66 strokes from 18 holes >> - 6 under par
✳ 1 Eagle
✳ 6 birdies
✳ 9 Pars
💠 DAY 3 - LEADER-BOARD LIVE
✳ S Njoroge 🇰🇪 213
✳ S Njogu 🇰🇪 215
✳ R Otile 🇺🇬 216
✳ D Nduva 🇰🇪 216
✳ J Cwinyaai 🇺🇬 221
✳ D Asaba 🇺🇬 223
💠Venue: Lake Victoria Serena
💠 LIVE: Results (click)
Final day draw (bottom)

Entebbe, Uganda | LOUIS JADWONG | Ronald Otile showed he will not lose his Uganda Amateur Golf Open title without a fight by breaking the Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa course record to charge into Saturday's final day 'pressure group'.

The 24-year-old carded an astonishing 66 - six under par on Friday, courtesy of a eagle, six birdies and 9 pars.

Otile rewrote the record he had set just a day earlier with a four under par 68 strokes as he chased a pack of Kenyans, who have dominated the 78th Uganda Amateur Golf Open from day one.

After a disastrous start, that saw him card 82 strokes on Wednesday, he had remained optimistic, and warned that, "It is a game. I played +10 today, but I can still play -10 tomorrow."

Today's all Kenyan pressure group heading to the
back nine. PHOTO LOUIS JADWONG

What will not be good news for his opponents is the fact that after his six-under par score today, Otile still feels there is room for improvement. "I need to play the course as it is and on regulations. I'll also need to commit on putting tomorrow," he said, when asked about his thoughts ahead of D-day.

From being 13 strokes behind the leader on day one, Otile will be in the 'pressure group' for the final round on Saturday. He will tee off at 12.30pm in a group of three that includes Njoroge and Njogu, and this time he will be only three strokes behind.

Uganda Amateur Open Main Event Draw Day 4 - Uganda Open 2019 by The Independent Magazine on Scribd

Golf Open Winners since 1932
1932 – H.Davidson (Uganda Golf Club)
1933 – H.Davidson (Uganda Golf Club)
1934 – R.W Hooker (Muthaiga Golf Club)
1935 – J.D Rankine (Uganda Golf Club)
1936 – J.D Rankine (Uganda Golf Clun)
1937 – H. Davidson (Uganda Golf Club)
1938 – R.W Bun (Mombasa Golf Club)
1939 – J.E Higginson
1940 – 1947 NOT HELD
1948 – D. F Stewart (Uganda Golf Club)
1949 – A.Q Roberts (Kitale Golf Club)
1950 – N.C Elwell (Uganda Golf Club)
1951 – N.C Elwell (Mwanza Golf Club)
1952 – J.R Cooke (Uganda Golf Club)
1953 – R.W Hooper (Nairobi Golf Club)
1954 – M.Johnson (Kabalae Golf Club)
1955 – J.R Oglive (Kitale Golf Club)
1956 – J.R Oglive (Kitale Golf Club)
1957 – Ian McAdam (Uganda Golf Club)
1958 – Brian Malone (Uganda Golf Club)
1959 – Ian McAdam (Uganda Golf Club)
1960 – Mike Johnson (Mbale Golf Club)
1961 – Mike Johnson (Mbale Golf Club)
1962 – Mike Johnson (Mbale Golf Club)
1963 – John Higginson (Uganda Golf Club)
1964 – John Higginson (Uganda Golf Club)
1965 – Muhammed Rajab (Nairobi Golf Club)
1966 – John Higginson (Uganda Golf Club)
1967 – I.Pattinson (Dar es Salaam Golf Club)
1968 – G.Burrows (Uganda Golf Club)
1969 – M.Rajab(Nairobi Golf Club)
1970 – M.Couma (Uganda Golf Club)
1971 – J. Kahugu (Sigona Golf Club)
1972 – Ben Okello (Masaka Golf Club)
1973 – Tom Taban (Uganda Golf Club)
1974 – Alex Okodan (Uganda Golf Club)
1975 – Ramathan Kayamba (Uganda Golf Club)
1976 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1977 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1978 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1979 – 1980 – Not held
1981 – Juma Jaffer (Uganda Golf Club)
1982 – Juma Jaffer (Uganda Golf Club)
1983 – Sadi Onito (Uganda Golf Club)
1984 – John Mucheru (Uganda Golf Club)
1985 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1986 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1987 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1988 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1989 – Allan Njoroge (Muthaiga Golf Club)
1990- Dedan Kagonyera (Kabale Golf Club)
1991 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1992 – Juma Jaffer (Uganda Golf Club)
1993 – John Gavin (Uganda Golf Club)
1994 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1995 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1996 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1997 – Steven Birungi (Uganda Golf Club)
1998 – Steven Birungi (Uganda Golf Club)
1999 – Steven Birungi (Uganda Golf Club)
2000 – Deo Akope (Entebbe Golf Club)
2001 – Deo Akope (Entebbe Golf Club)
2002 – Deo Akope (Entebbe Golf Club)
2003 – Charles Yokwe (Jinja Golf Club)
2004 – David Odhiambo (Nyanza Golf Club)
2005 – Charles Yokwe (Jinja Golf Club)
2006 – Amos Kamya (Entebbe Golf Club)
2007 – Nicholas Rokoine (Muthaiga Golf Club)
2008 – George Olayo (Entebbe Golf Club)
2009 – Peter Ssendaula (Entebbe Golf Club)
2010 – Brian Mwesigwa (Kabale Golf Club)
2011 –Rogers Byaruhanga (Uganda Golf Club)
2012 – Phillip Kasozi (Uganda Golf Club)
2013 – Peter Ssendaula (Entebbe Golf Club)
2014 - Kitata (Entebbe Golf Club)
2015 - Ronald Otile (Tooro Golf Club)
2016 - Ronald Otile (Tooro Golf Club)
2017 - Ronald Rugumayo (Tooro Golf Club)
2018 - Ronald Otile (Tooro Golf Club)

Thursday, 5 September 2019

Kenyan ace Njogu's lead cut as Ugandans charge at 2019 Amateur Golf Open

Njogu has led day one and two. PHOTO UG GOLF MEDIA

💠 LEADER-BOARD day 2
#UGGolfOpen19 ⛳
✳144 S Njogu Par 69 75 🇰🇪
✳145 D Nduva +1 75 70 🇰🇪
✳145 S Chege +1 73 72 🇰🇪
✳147 P Mwangi +3 71 76 🇰🇪
✳148 W Odera +4 75 73 🇰🇪
✳149 J Cwinyaai +5 76 73 🇺🇬
✳149 Z Khan +4 75 74 🇰🇪
✳150 R Otile +6 82 68 🇺🇬
✳151 D Asaba +7 76 75 🇺🇬
💠Venue: Lake Victoria Serena
💠 LIVE: Results (click)
💠 DAY 3 draw (bottom)

Entebbe, Uganda | LOUIS JADWONG | Kenya's Simon Njogu Muthoni struggled with a 75 but held onto his overall lead as the 78th Uganda Amateur Golf Open reached the halfway point on Thursday.

The Naivasha Great Rift Valley Club golfer could only manage one birdie on a course where he picked five for an astonishing 69 strokes on day one. He enters round three Friday with a total 144 strokes, a lead of one with 36 holes to go.

Breathing behind his neck now are a group of fellow Kenyans who cut his 2 stroke lead, and more excitingly for the home fans, two Ugandan pre-tournament favourites. Joseph Cwinyaai moved up six places into the chasing pack, and was joined by defending champion Ronald Otile who stepped up 34 places into 8th position.

US-based Otile picked up seven birdies as he produced the tournament's best score and new course record - a stunning four-under par 68 - to remind the field that he is still capable of making the kind of comeback that earned him his third title last year.

"It is a game. I played +10 today, but I can still play -10 tomorrow," he had warned before he started today's 18 holes. From 13 behind, he is 6 strokes behind with 36 holes to go.

The four-day 72 hole Amateur Open is Ugandan golf's most prestigious title and has attracted 101 golfers from Ethiopia, Sweden Uganda, Kenya, USA, South Africa, Pakistan and Tanzania. This year's event at the par-72 picturesque Lake Victoria Serena course at Kigo, has come a few days after the Ladies Open that was won by Uganda's Martha Babirye, and a week before the professional Open.

There will be a Pro Am tournament next Tuesday, before Dismas Indiza, from Mumias Club, takes to the course to defend his Professional Open title. He leads a Kenyan team of 24 professionals to the event.

Uganda Amateur Open 2019 Draw Day 3 by The Independent Magazine on Scribd

Wednesday, 4 September 2019

Kenyans dominate day one of Uganda Amateur Golf Open

FILE PHOTO Kenyan Njogu (right) with a colleague, at a past event.
He has found it very easy so far. PHOTO @UgandaGolf

💠 LEADER-BOARD ⛳
✳ S Njogu -3 69 🇰🇪
✳ P Mwangi -1 71 🇰🇪
✳ S Chege +1 73 🇰🇪
✳ I Makokha +2 74 🇰🇪
✳ D Nduva +3 75 🇰🇪
✳ R Gaita +3 75 🇺🇬
✳ J Basabose +3 75 🇺🇬
✳ A Bagalana +3 75 🇺🇬
▶ R Otile +10 82 🇺🇬
💠Venue: Lake Victoria Serena
LIVE: Results (click)

Entebbe, Uganda | LOUIS JADWONG | Ugandans are nowhere to be seen on the leader board at the 78th Uganda Amateur Golf Open that teed off on Wednesday.

Simon Njogu from Naivasha's Great Rift Valley Club in Kenya carded a 69, 3 under par as he stormed to a two stroke lead on day-one of Uganda's most prestigious golf tournament. Kenyans took the first five spots on the leader-board after 18 holes, with the best Ugandan six strokes behind, and defending champion Ronald Otile a staggering 13 behind.

US-based Otile is seeking a fourth title and will have to step up his game in the next three rounds.

"I struggled a bit on the back nine..... I could not make puts yet I was on the green on regulation," Otile, 24, told NTV Uganda. "It is a game. I played +10 today, but I can still play -10 tomorrow. I am sure it will be better tomorrow," he added.

With the par-72 course built on the banks of Lake Victoria, most of the fairway has water hazards, which experts say, intimidates many golfers playing at Kigo for the first time.

"It's full of water....both Ugandan and foreign players were intimidated by the waters on all fairways," a golf pundit said of the picturesque Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa course at Kigo.

"Few Ugandans play regularly on this course that is why they are struggling. The course is very windy, and the greens are very fast which favours many Kenyans who are used to playing on these kind of course," Ugandan golf analyst Phillip Corry told The Independent.

"Day two will be better for them, so we expect them to bounce back, having got a feel of the course," he added.

The four-day 72 hole Amateur Open is Ugandan golf's most prestigious title. This year's event has come a few days after the Ladies Open that was won by Uganda's Martha Babirye, and a week before the cash spinning professional Open. (DAY TWO DRAW BOTTOM)

There will be a Pro Am tournament in between, before Dismas Indiza, from Mumias Club, takes to the course to defend his Professional Open title. He leads a Kenyan team of 24 professionals to the event.

Uganda Amateur Open 2019 Draw Day 2 by The Independent Magazine on Scribd

Otile guns for 4th title as 137 tee off at Uganda Golf Open

Otile in action last year

✳⛳Uganda Amateur Open Golf Championships 2019
✅ 🏌️‍♀️Ladies Open ✅ Champ Martha Babirye
➡🏌️‍♂️Amateur Open Sept 4-7
➡ Pro-Am
➡ Professional Open
💠Venue: Lake Victoria Serena

Entebbe, Uganda | LOUIS JADWONG | All eyes will be on three-time winner Ronald Otile when the 78th Uganda Amateur Open tees off at 7.30am today at the picturesque Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa course just outside Kampala.

'Lion Heart' Otile joined Ugandan golf greats with his third Amateur Open title last year, after an amazing comeback from 5 strokes behind, in the last 6 holes, on the final day.

"It was my Lion Heart" that did it, he said, explaining how he did not lose hope after carding 9 on hole 11. He clinched the title with an amazing winning putt on the final hole.
Otile, then only 23, became only the eighth golfer to win three titles in the 77-year history of the Uganda Amateur Golf Open.

AMATEUR OPEN TOP 7 in 2018
➡ Ronald Otile 🇺🇬 285 (+1)
➡ Edwin Mudanyi 🇰🇪 (+2)
➡ John Karichu 🇰🇪 (+2)
➡ Herman Mutebi 🇺🇬 (+6)
➡ Joseph Cwinyai 🇺🇬 (+7)
➡ Daniel Baguma 🇺🇬 (+7)
➡ Joel Basalaine 🇺🇬 (+12)

The four-day 72 hole Amateur Open is Ugandan golf's most prestigious title. This year's event has come a few days after the Ladies Open that was won by Uganda's Martha Babirye, and a week before the professional Open. (FULL DRAW BOTTOM)

Otile's greatest competition is again likely to come from Kenyan amateurs, who will be led by Samuel Njoroge of Kenya Railways Club.

There will be a Pro Am tournament next Tuesday, before Dismas Indiza, from Mumias Club, takes to the course to defend his Professional Open title. He leads a Kenyan team of 24 professionals to the event.

Golf Open Winners since 1932
1932 – H.Davidson (Uganda Golf Club)
1933 – H.Davidson (Uganda Golf Club)
1934 – R.W Hooker (Muthaiga Golf Club)
1935 – J.D Rankine (Uganda Golf Club)
1936 – J.D Rankine (Uganda Golf Clun)
1937 – H. Davidson (Uganda Golf Club)
1938 – R.W Bun (Mombasa Golf Club)
1939 – J.E Higginson
1940 – 1947 NOT HELD
1948 – D. F Stewart (Uganda Golf Club)
1949 – A.Q Roberts (Kitale Golf Club)
1950 – N.C Elwell (Uganda Golf Club)
1951 – N.C Elwell (Mwanza Golf Club)
1952 – J.R Cooke (Uganda Golf Club)
1953 – R.W Hooper (Nairobi Golf Club)
1954 – M.Johnson (Kabalae Golf Club)
1955 – J.R Oglive (Kitale Golf Club)
1956 – J.R Oglive (Kitale Golf Club)
1957 – Ian McAdam (Uganda Golf Club)
1958 – Brian Malone (Uganda Golf Club)
1959 – Ian McAdam (Uganda Golf Club)
1960 – Mike Johnson (Mbale Golf Club)
1961 – Mike Johnson (Mbale Golf Club)
1962 – Mike Johnson (Mbale Golf Club)
1963 – John Higginson (Uganda Golf Club)
1964 – John Higginson (Uganda Golf Club)
1965 – Muhammed Rajab (Nairobi Golf Club)
1966 – John Higginson (Uganda Golf Club)
1967 – I.Pattinson (Dar es Salaam Golf Club)
1968 – G.Burrows (Uganda Golf Club)
1969 – M.Rajab(Nairobi Golf Club)
1970 – M.Couma (Uganda Golf Club)
1971 – J. Kahugu (Sigona Golf Club)
1972 – Ben Okello (Masaka Golf Club)
1973 – Tom Taban (Uganda Golf Club)
1974 – Alex Okodan (Uganda Golf Club)
1975 – Ramathan Kayamba (Uganda Golf Club)
1976 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1977 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1978 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1979 – 1980 – Not held
1981 – Juma Jaffer (Uganda Golf Club)
1982 – Juma Jaffer (Uganda Golf Club)
1983 – Sadi Onito (Uganda Golf Club)
1984 – John Mucheru (Uganda Golf Club)
1985 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1986 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1987 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1988 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1989 – Allan Njoroge (Muthaiga Golf Club)
1990- Dedan Kagonyera (Kabale Golf Club)
1991 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1992 – Juma Jaffer (Uganda Golf Club)
1993 – John Gavin (Uganda Golf Club)
1994 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1995 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1996 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1997 – Steven Birungi (Uganda Golf Club)
1998 – Steven Birungi (Uganda Golf Club)
1999 – Steven Birungi (Uganda Golf Club)
2000 – Deo Akope (Entebbe Golf Club)
2001 – Deo Akope (Entebbe Golf Club)
2002 – Deo Akope (Entebbe Golf Club)
2003 – Charles Yokwe (Jinja Golf Club)
2004 – David Odhiambo (Nyanza Golf Club)
2005 – Charles Yokwe (Jinja Golf Club)
2006 – Amos Kamya (Entebbe Golf Club)
2007 – Nicholas Rokoine (Muthaiga Golf Club)
2008 – George Olayo (Entebbe Golf Club)
2009 – Peter Ssendaula (Entebbe Golf Club)
2010 – Brian Mwesigwa (Kabale Golf Club)
2011 –Rogers Byaruhanga (Uganda Golf Club)
2012 – Phillip Kasozi (Uganda Golf Club)
2013 – Peter Ssendaula (Entebbe Golf Club)
2014 - Kitata (Entebbe Golf Club)
2015 - Ronald Otile (Tooro Golf Club)
2016 - Ronald Otile (Tooro Golf Club)
2017 - Ronald Rugumayo (Tooro Golf Club)
2018 - Ronald Otile (Tooro Golf Club)

DRAW 2019

Uganda Amateur Open 2019 Draw Day 1 by The Independent Magazine on Scribd

Monday, 24 September 2018

Otile not in a hurry to turn pro

The winning moment 📷@Mikensubuga

➡️Ladies Open ✅ Neema Olomi
➡️Amateur Open ✅ Ronald Otile
➡️Pro-Am ✅ Otile, Alfred Nandwa, Nelson Simwa
➡️Professional Open 26th - 29th September, 2018 (live scores -click)
➡️Entebbe Club

Entebbe, Uganda |LOUIS JADWONG| Ronald Otile's winning putt on the final day of the Uganda Amateur Golf Open brings backs memories of another nerve-wracking sports moment - not on a golf course - but on a football pitch in Manchester in May 2012.

No matter how many times you watch the replay, you still get the fear Sergio Aguero will actually miss what was pretty much the very last kick of the 20th Premier League season.

With that goal, a nervy Manchester City won their first title in 44 years - their first Premier League triumph. To do this however, Manchester City scored twice in stoppage time in the very last game of the season to secure the three points they needed to make history!

'Agueroooooooo’ yelled the commentator as the blue side of Manchester rallied to snatch the title from their red neighbors.

Otile, in many ways like Manchester City in their last match that season, had virtually thrown it all away with a 9 on hole 11 on the final day on Saturday at Entebbe Club.

That score took him from 3 strokes ahead, to 6 behind with just 7 holes to go on the final day of the 77th Uganda Amateur Open in Entebbe on Saturday.

He responded to that with four birdies, including the big one on the last hole. With the birdie on the "Dan Ntale" hole 18, Otile secured what looked an unlikely win hours earlier.

The result made him only the eighth golfer in the 77-year history of the Uganda golf Open to win three titles.

There was no live commentary at Entebbe Golf Club, but circumstance were similar, and we should have had an "Otiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiile as he pumped his fist in the air, Tiger-Wood style."

Have another look at the video. If you are a fan, you will still fear he might just miss that last putt!

Tooro Club dominates

The Uganda Open win Saturday, marks the fourth straight year the trophy has been taken by a player from the new kings of Ugandan golf, Tooro Club.

Sports Journalist Andrew Mwanguhya, in a 2015 report on the Fort Portal club, traced its rise on the wave of a new crop of young golfers. (click for full story)

"Tooro Golf Club (TGC) promotes aspiring young players every year to artisan members, who do not pay membership fee but help on the course," he revealed.

Otile, a son of a policeman and woman, was one such player.

He announced his arrival in 2015 by not only becoming the youngest winner of the Uganda Open at 20, but going on to win the professional event that year.

Eye on education

While last year's winner Ronald Rugumayo did not think twice about turning pro after his first win, journalists were still asking Otile, now 23, 'what next?', three years after they first did.

“I’m not ready for that (professional),” he said in 2015, adding that “But if I do what I have just down now next year or the one after, maybe. But I will have to think about it.”

Asked on Saturday if his third win means it is time to go pro finally, Otile was again non committal.

Otile, who's at a golf academy in South Africa, said again, he might consider that next year, or after he joins university in the US as planned in the next few months.

Having lost both his parent by the time he made his Uganda Open mark, the pursuit of higher education seems the one thing he wants added to his CV.

While he's shown a 'Lion Heart' against adversity on the golf course, he is not taking chances with education and looks set to delay the pro decision until he has that degree in his hands.

Future bright for Ugandan golf

Among the many admirers of the Toro model is Entebbe Club golf pro Dickson Lagoro who sees a bright future for Ugandan golf.

"Big Congs to Ronald Otile and Tooro Club. I feel deeply privileged to be a part of Ugandan Golf at the moment," he said at the weekend.

Lagoro has watched local golf dominance shift in the past decade from Sadi Onito's Jinja club to Entebbe then to Tooro and lately, to Lugazi.

He thinks there are clubs out there ready to emulate Toro and storm the big stage.

"I feel it is now time for Namulonge to shine...a lot of us took our golf baby steps over there and I suggest we give back. Let us nurture and produce the next champion."

*****

RELATED STORY

FULL STORY: Ronald #Otile makes history with 3rd #Uganda #Golf Open victory https://t.co/8ZWdKfwpyG #Castlelite #UgandaOpen2018 #UgGolfOpen18 @EntebbeClub
✅After 72holes
➡️ Ronald Otile 🇺🇬 285 (+1)
➡️ Edwin Mudanyi 🇰🇪 (+2)
➡️ John Karichu 🇰🇪 (+2) pic.twitter.com/oaRcE5tsY2
— Louis Jadwong (@Jadwong) September 22, 2018

Saturday, 22 September 2018

Otile makes history with 3rd Uganda Open victory

Otile kisses the trophy. 📷 @jadwong

AMATEUR OPEN TOP 7
➡️ Ronald Otile   285 (+1)
➡️ Edwin Mudanyi (+2)
➡️ John Karichu  (+2)
➡️ Herman Mutebi    (+6)
➡️ Joseph Cwinyai   (+7)
➡️ Daniel Baguma    (+7)
➡️ Joel Basalaine   (+12)

******
Uganda Open Golf Championships 2018
➡️Ladies Open  ✅ Champ Neema Olomi
➡️Amateur Open ✅  Champ Ronald Otile
➡️Pro-Am 25th September, 2018
➡️Professional Open 26th - 29th September, 2018
➡️Venue: Entebbe Club
******

Entebbe, Uganda | LOUIS JADWONG | Ronald Otile joined Ugandan golf greats with his third Amateur Open title Saturday, after an amazing comeback from 5 strokes behind in the last 6 holes.

"It was my Lion Heart" that did it, he said, explaining how he did not lose hope after carding 9 on hole 11.

At the troublesome 11th, Otile went out of bounds, incurring a two shot penalty, before "jaffering" the hole, to fall five behind.

Otile however followed that setback with four birdies on holes, 14,15,16 and 18 for a day's 74 and total score of 285 for victory by one stroke over Kenyan pair of John Karichu (72) and Edwin Mudanyi (68).

Basaliza and Otile. 📷 @jadwong

Otile now becomes only the eighth golfer to win three titles in the 77-year history of the Uganda Amateur Golf Open.

The most senior of Uganda's veteran golfers Emmanuel Basaliza, 93, who has probably played against some of the greats, joined Otile in the celebrations.

The small group of three time winners in the Amateur Open are H. Davidson (1932-3,1937), Mike Johnson (1960-61-62), John Higginson (1963-4-6), legend Sadi Onito ( 1976 to 1978, 83, 1985 to 1988, 1991, 1994-1996), Juma Jaffer (1981-82, 1992), Steven Birungi (1997-1999) and Deo Akope (2000-2002)

The winning final putt

After drawing level with Mudanyi at the 17th, both landed on the green with their 3rd shot, right within striking distance of the hole. Otile faced the trickier putt, having to roll the ball downwards to get a birdie to go one ahead while for the Kenyan, a similar score would have them level for a play-off.

Otile held his nerve, and curved the ball towards the pin and in on the "Dan Nkata" hole 18 to spark delayed birthday celebrations for him.

VIDEO

The four-day 72 hole Amateur Open is Ugandan golf's most prestigious title. This year's event has come a week after the Ladies Open that was won by Tanzanian Neema Olomi, and a week before the professional Open.

Nile Breweries under their brand Castle Lite, are the anchor sponsors of the Open. Co-sponsors are Barclays Bank, Britam Insurance, CBA Africa, Kwese Sports, Ernest and Young, Minet, Gems Cambridge Int School, Nation Media Group, Kwese Sports, Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa and Time Cop.

LAST YEAR's scoreboard top 4
➡️ Ronald Rugumayo 80 78 69 72 299
➡️ Ronald Otile 72 79 76 72 299
➡️ Paul Muchangi 76 77 78 69 300
➡️ Samuel Njoroge 77 79 71 74 301

Golf Open Winners since 1932
1932 – H.Davidson (Uganda Golf Club)
1933 – H.Davidson (Uganda Golf Club)
1934 – R.W Hooker (Muthaiga Golf Club)
1935 – J.D Rankine (Uganda Golf Club)
1936 – J.D Rankine (Uganda Golf Clun)
1937 – H. Davidson (Uganda Golf Club)
1938 – R.W Bun (Mombasa Golf Club)
1939 – J.E Higginson
1940 – 1947 NOT HELD
1948 – D. F Stewart (Uganda Golf Club)
1949 – A.Q Roberts (Kitale Golf Club)
1950 – N.C Elwell (Uganda Golf Club)
1951 – N.C Elwell (Mwanza Golf Club)
1952 – J.R Cooke (Uganda Golf Club)
1953 – R.W Hooper (Nairobi Golf Club)
1954 – M.Johnson (Kabalae Golf Club)
1955 – J.R Oglive (Kitale Golf Club)
1956 – J.R Oglive (Kitale Golf Club)
1957 – Ian McAdam (Uganda Golf Club)
1958 – Brian Malone (Uganda Golf Club)
1959 – Ian McAdam (Uganda Golf Club)
1960 – Mike Johnson (Mbale Golf Club)
1961 – Mike Johnson (Mbale Golf Club)
1962 – Mike Johnson (Mbale Golf Club)
1963 – John Higginson (Uganda Golf Club)
1964 – John Higginson (Uganda Golf Club)
1965 – Muhammed Rajab (Nairobi Golf Club)
1966 – John Higginson (Uganda Golf Club)
1967 – I.Pattinson (Dar es Salaam Golf Club)
1968 – G.Burrows (Uganda Golf Club)
1969 – M.Rajab(Nairobi Golf Club)
1970 – M.Couma (Uganda Golf Club)
1971 – J. Kahugu (Sigona Golf Club)
1972 – Ben Okello (Masaka Golf Club)
1973 – Tom Taban (Uganda Golf Club)
1974 – Alex Okodan (Uganda Golf Club)
1975 – Ramathan Kayamba (Uganda Golf Club)
1976 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1977 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1978 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1979 – 1980 – Not held
1981 – Juma Jaffer (Uganda Golf Club)
1982 – Juma Jaffer (Uganda Golf Club)
1983 – Sadi Onito (Uganda Golf Club)
1984 – John Mucheru (Uganda Golf Club)
1985 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1986 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1987 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1988 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1989 – Allan Njoroge (Muthaiga Golf Club)
1990- Dedan Kagonyera (Kabale Golf Club)
1991 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1992 – Juma Jaffer (Uganda Golf Club)
1993 – John Gavin (Uganda Golf Club)
1994 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1995 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1996 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1997 – Steven Birungi (Uganda Golf Club)
1998 – Steven Birungi (Uganda Golf Club)
1999 – Steven Birungi (Uganda Golf Club)
2000 – Deo Akope (Entebbe Golf Club)
2001 – Deo Akope (Entebbe Golf Club)
2002 – Deo Akope (Entebbe Golf Club)
2003 – Charles Yokwe (Jinja Golf Club)
2004 – David Odhiambo (Nyanza Golf Club)
2005 – Charles Yokwe (Jinja Golf Club)
2006 – Amos Kamya (Entebbe Golf Club)
2007 – Nicholas Rokoine (Muthaiga Golf Club)
2008 – George Olayo (Entebbe Golf Club)
2009 – Peter Ssendaula (Entebbe Golf Club)
2010 – Brian Mwesigwa (Kabale Golf Club)
2011 –Rogers Byaruhanga (Uganda Golf Club)
2012 – Phillip Kasozi (Uganda Golf Club)
2013 – Peter Ssendaula (Entebbe Golf Club)
2014 - Kitata (Entebbe Golf Club)
2015 - Ronald Otile (Tooro Golf Club)
2016 - Ronald Otile (Tooro Golf Club)
2017 - Ronald Rugumayo (Tooro Golf Club)
2018 - Ronald Otile (Tooro Golf Club)