And the Oscars go to...

Tiger Woods’ skeletons might have come out of the closet but there is no doubt that 2009 was a big year for golfers on the local scene. Some stories made us laugh, others made us shed a tear and a few others made us cringe. And as the year ends Daily Monitor looks back at the season and gives out some awards.

Pick of the lot
There are a handful of worthy candidates for this accolade.
Professional Deo Akope, Uganda Open winner Peter Ssendawula and Vincent ‘Araali’ Byamukama but unfortunately this gong cannot be claimed by a man. The fortunate winner is Jasper Kamukama.
She picked up several gongs throughout the season and was the best lady golfer in the season-long MTN Mug of Mugs.
But highest on her achievements list was her breaking of five-year dominance of the foreign legion on the Uganda Ladies Open.
What made her win the most outstanding feat was the fact that she began the last day six strokes behind, played a final round of one-over 73 to force the Open into a deciding three-hole play-off against two-time winner Mary Karano of Kenya.
Under fading light and a full gallery, Kamukama reigned by strokes to save face for the nation in an event whose last Ugandan winner was Esther Okullo in 2003.
After pumping her fist in celebration, Kamukama raised her arm and hugged all those in her midst before pulling her cap over her face to hide tears of joy and relief, well aware she had achieved one of sport’s rare moments. Her feat also won her a new name - “Madam Potential.”
Comeback King
Look no further than Stephen ‘Apuuli’ Kasaija. His tale is like that of the biblical prodigal son. He joined the professional ranks in 2007, a tight work schedule kept him out of action and his earnings made poor reading.
At 34, a layman’s life is supposed to be set but not if you’re a sportsman and strong-willed like Kasaija.
The 34-year-old applied to return to the amateur ranks in a bid to re-invent himself and a career that was in its death throes.
He served his mandatory time out and made a remarkable return to the greens. As a non-scoring player, he finished seventh in the Uganda Open, won the JBG Open in Entebbe two weeks later, won the 13th Rwanda Open title in Kigali and capped up those feats by regaining a slot on the national team.
The jury might still be out on his decision to return to amateur ranks as his game still has professional traits but hats off to Kasaija for a remarkable comeback.

Party popper
On day one of the Uganda Open in Entebbe, eventual winner Peter Ssendawula talked of his admiration of three-time Uganda Golf Union (UGU) Order of Merit winner Byamukama.
“I will be happy to finish second behind him. This is his Open. He agonisingly failed last year but this is his home course and he should have no difficulty,” Ssendawula said in praise of Byamukama.
Fast forward to day-four, Ssendawula had edged him by just one-stroke to etch his name into the history books.
A former tennis player, Ssendawula defied the form book to join the likes of legendary Sadi Onito (RIP), the late Charles Yokwe, Amos Kamya and Deo Akope as men who have ever won the most coveted prize in Ugandan golf.

Top professional
With unblinkered focus and ability to almost will the ball into the hole, Akope has triumphed in an estimated 90% of the tournaments he has participated in.
He proved that no one comes close to his class on the local scene. His only blips were when the Kenyan duo of Richard Ainley and Dismas Indiza dwarfed him in the Uganda Open, Rwanda Open and MTN Mug of Mugs.
With additional responsibilities as the captain of the Uganda Professional Golfers Association (UPGA) and assistant club professional of Uganda Golf Club (UGC), Akope has cut a niche as a role model for many a youngster.

Super Team
Western deserve mention for having won a record 14th Inter Regions title and Eastern for bagging the caddies version.
The national ladies team, too, deserves plaudits for having picked bronze in the inaugural East and Central All Africa Challenge Trophy hosted at Kitante course.
But the real praise goes to the national amateur team for winning the East African Challenge Trophy.
The Emmanuel Onito Opio captained side later shook Africa with a fifth spot finish at the Africa Men’s Championship at Dreamland Golf course in Egypt and wrapped up the year with a priceless maiden appearance at the International Teams Championship in South Africa. The young team showed its steel throughout the year and gives the nation a steely hope for the future.

Best tournament
In truth, the recession probably began to affect corporate sponsorship as early as 2008, but 2009 will undoubtedly be remembered as the year the credit crunch hit golf.
Sponsors pulled out of events and prizes got less attractive and some corporates scrapped off the professionals from the subsidiary category.
In golf speak, what happens on the golf course is one thing but what goes down at the 19th hole (barbeque, restaurant and lounge area) is what matters most. The MTN Mugs have been memorable to many a golfer for their acts at the 19th hole.
The KCB Pro-Am weighed in a big deal at the 19th but the first-ever Kenya Open Day offers the biggest talking points. The dignitaries present were at every glance, the liquor taps endlessly flowed – some guests left for home mid-way the function staggering and that performance by MTV MAMA Award winner Amani was an awesome way to crown off the day.

The others
The other awards like Innovation of the Year can be equally shared by Kin Kariisa who started the Kin Mini Masters and Dr Geoge Bagambisa, who single-handedly wooed sponsors and ensured the first-ever Inter Clubs tournament – a direct feeder to the national team came into existence.
The Mr Consistent award goes to Phillip Kasozi – a former table tennis champion whereas the promising player gong is taken by Tooro boy Lawrence Muhenda.
The Act of the Year has got to be the authorities’ pardoning of the ill-fated Stephen ‘Tiger Woods’ Birungi whereas the play of the year gong must be shared by all those who struck a hole-in-one, Allan Muhereza who sank a long putt at No.17 in the final round of the Inter Clubs and Byamukama who equaled the course record during the African championship at Dreamland in Egypt with a meticulous round of five-under 67 on day two. Sponsor of the Year has got to be Ferdsult Engineering Services Ltd boss Ferdinand Mugisha, who apart from bailing out the national amateur team for a trip to South Africa, pledged to back it in 2010 on top of giving a special offer to the professionals for every score of under par amongst other good deeds.
Such was the golfing year. It was a win-win situation and there was a little something to smile about that every golfer will be anticipating a better 2010.