Kakeeto, Nampewo win Junior Open
The future is bright: Uganda Golf Union president Innocent Kihika posing with Kakeeto and Nampewo. PHOTO by Eddie Chicco
KAMPALA.
There is now enough evidence that Tooro Golf Club holds firm grip on talent in this country.
Ronald Otile won the Uganda Amateur Open in 2015 and 2016 before his club mate Ronald Rugumayo stopped his three-peat last year.
Now upon the return of the Uganda Junior Golf Open after a three-year absence, the trophy is still Tooro’s.
That’s after teenager Abdul Kakeeto beat the field to win with a score of two-over par 73 at the Entebbe Golf Course yesterday.
Playing off handicap six, the 15-year-old Kakeeto was a class apart from the field of 84 boys that graced the R & A and Pinnacled Security-sponsored event.
But Lugazi’s Mehta Golf Club players had been tipped to win the boys’ gong. Instead, the bookmakers were vindicated after junior national team player Joan Nampewo won the girls’ gross category. The handicap 16 player carded 89 gross to beat the small field of 12 at the par-71 course.
“My hard work on the range paid off,” delighted Nampewo said upon winning the title.
“I hope this can help me grow my career and the top female players like Flavia Namakula,” added the 18-year-old.
Meanwhile, home girl Trista Babirye behaved like ‘an old broom that knows all corners’ by winning the nett category with 68 off handicap 36.
