Kabenge wins Captain’s Prize

Playing off handicap 11, Kabenge shot 66 nett to outclass a field of about 200 in the Nation Media Group sponsored one-day tournament at Kitante Golf Course.

KAMPALA

Throughout her life either as a sports personality or medical practitioner, Katy Kabenge has built an enviable reputation as a soft-spoken lady. But she could barely hold back her emotions after winning the Nation Media Group (NMG)-sponsored Lady Captain’s Prize at the par-72 Uganda Golf Club, Kitante course on Saturday.

Playing off handicap 11, Kabenge shot 66 nett to leave an unusually large field of 205 golfers in her wake with the closest challengers left-hander Gloria Mbaguta (Group A winner) and NMG’s own Anne Abeja Muhwezi (Group B winner) finishing four strokes off the pace on 70 nett.

“I have won before but this is my biggest victory. I have never won such prizes,” exclaimed Kabenge after receiving a glittering trophy and an LG 31-inch flat television screen from NMG Group corporate affairs director Dennis Kashero.

“I was the overall nett winner at last year’s Open but today’s (Saturday) was simply out of this world. I played six-under and had three birdies on No. 9, 14 and 18. And this comes after I won the table tennis singles and doubles with Christine Byarugaba at Kampala Club Chairman’s Cup.”

Kabenge, a dentist, also took advantage of the occasion to thank the people that matter in her golfing career. “I want to thank many people including my first coach Deo Akope, who was hard to impress, Monica Ntege, who gave me my first golf set and has always played with me even when my golf is terrible and Dr Kato Sebbaale, who has contributed to my game in more than one way,” she said.
Kabenge might have been the biggest winner but Lady Captain Agnes Konde also stole the show for staging an awesome event.

“This has been more than what I expected. Very successful and I am overwhelmed,” said Konde, whose term as captain expires this week. She is, however, due for re-election as no one has declared interest in the position.

NTV presenters Maurice Mugisha and Peter Igaga passed with flying colours as the night emcees, every table was branded as an NTV programme and songstress Grace Nakimera put up an energetic show to get the full house at the 19th hole onto the dancing floor.
NMG injected Shs35m in the one-day tournament.

indawula@ug.nationmedia.com