Chen, Magala still toasting to triumph at JBG Golf Open

KAMPALA. Expatriate Garret Chen and Uganda Golf Ladies Union (ULGU) president Eva Magala were beneficiaries of their own purple patches enroute to winning the respective overall honours at the 21st JBG Open.
Chen carded 41 stableford points to take home the men’s amateur title whereas Magala was the best lady golfer on day with 38 points that helped her edge fast-rising Peace Kabasweka on countback.
“Entebbe has been like my home course,” said Magala. “I have played a lot of golf on this course this year. I am only reaping the fruits of practice and hard work. I thank God,” said Magala, who played off handicap 4 after she was accompanied by her husband Patrick Kituuma Magala to the pick her prizes from the dais.
Chen and Magala took home brand new golf bags and special Bavarian Mugs for their feats on a day that was graced by Germany ambassador to Uganda Albrecht Conze, Minister of Works Monica Ntege, Gauff Engineering Senior Advisor Helmut Gauff and managing director Emmanuel Mugamba.

Special categories
There were a couple of special categories including the gross and seniors. Mehta Golf Club’s youngster Joel Basalaine was the gross winner with a return of five-over 147 (75, 72) after 36 holes of play whereas Kenyan Isaac Marriera dominated the Seniors category with 34 points.
Professional golfer Phillip Kasozi claimed the biggest share of Shs20m prize money after the money-spinning group wrestled for three-days over 54 holes.

Kasozi, too, is enjoying a rich vein of form as this was his second win in a space of two weeks, having won the inaugural edition of the Johnnie Walker Serena Open where he also picked the biggest pay cheque of Shs25m on top of a second place finish at the Shs30m Pepsi Independence Open.
Kasozi beat Entebbe’s Vincent Baymukama on the second hole of sudden death after they both tied on 215. They equaled each other with par on No.10 but Kasozi got one better over Byamukama on No.17. Kasozi got par but Byamukama bogeyed the hole.

Overall winners
M: Garrett Chen 41 points
W: Eva Magala 38 c/b
Gross winner
Joel Basalaine 75, 72 147
Professionals winner
Phillip Kasozi 215
* Kasozi won second hole of sudden playoff hole (Hole No. 17)
Group winners – men
A: Geoffrey Orach 37 points
B: Perry Musiime 40
C: Kiema Kilonzo 39
Group winners – women
A: Peace Kabasweka 38 points
B: Diana Nabukenya 36 c/b
Winners – Seniors category
Isaac Marriera 34 points
James Ssekajugo 33
Longest Drive
M: Andrew Baguma
W: Eva Magala
Nearest To The Pin
M: John Katto
W: Monica Ntege