Locals calm after Zimbabwe pros fire Open warning

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With a record entry of 60 professionals in the fray, the Ugandans are intent on not playing just as hospitable hosts but also offer competition to foreign legion of 40 elite golfers that has registered for the money-spinning $40,000 (about Shs100m) event.

KAMPALA

The Uganda Open is prepping up well. The 20-local professionals; six apiece from Jinja Golf Club (JGC) and Entebbe Golf Club (EGC) are camping in Kampala to acclimatise to the local conditions.

The 72nd Tusker Malt-sponsored premier golfing event in Uganda runs from September 1-6 at the redesigned par-71 Uganda Golf Club (UGC) Kitante course.

With a record entry of 60 professionals in the fray, the Ugandans are intent on not playing just as hospitable hosts but also offer competition to foreign legion of 40 elite golfers that has registered for the money-spinning $40,000 (about Shs100m) event.
“We want to do well as a unit,” said Jinja-based professional Emmanuel Onito Opio, son to the legendary 12-time winner Sadi Onito and brother Charles Yokwe (two titles). Both fallen heroes won their titles as amateurs.

“The Kitante course is now a different one from the one we have been playing on. It is not going to be easy although we are home. But there is no need to panic. We have to remain calm and play our natural games.”

The organisers have narrowed the fairways and greens are much faster but with the Ugandans camping in Kampala and helping each other in the drills session, they might offer more than just a solid fight.

Elsewhere, the Zimbabwean pair of Tongoona Charamba and Farai Chitengwa fired Uganda Open warning shots enroute to dominating the 54-hole Siphiwe Nyanda Golf Tournament at the Swazi Royal Golf Course in Ezulwini on Saturday.

The pair jets into Kampala town on Monday. Charamba, who is fondly known as ‘TC’, carded a score of 70 in the third and final round to come out on top on eight-under-par 208.

The celebrated event played in honour of South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) stalwart, Siphiwe Nyanda, featured a field of 75 professional golfers from Southern African countries that included Zimbabwe, South Africa, Swaziland and Zambia.

“It’s my first time to compete in the event but I think the experience of playing in the same course in previous Sunshine Tour tournaments has come in handy,” the champion said. “I did not play well in the first and last round but managed to win. I still feel I should have done better. I now turn my efforts to the upcoming Uganda Open in East Africa.” Farahi Chitengwa, another of the Uganda Open registered players carded 67 73 70 six-under to finish second, two shots behind TC.

LIST OF UPGA PROS

UGANDA GOLF CLUB, KITANTE: Deo Akope, Sadi Atibu, Dennis Anguyo, Brian Mwesigwa, Herman Mutawe, Godfrey Mande, Amos Kamya
JINJA GOLF CLUB: Brian Toolit, Ian Odokonyero, Saidi Mawa, Fred Wanzala, Emmanuel Onito Opio, Grace Onito ‘Ocici’ Ochieng
ENTEBBE GOLF CLUB: George Olayo, Vincent ‘Araali’ Byamukama, Gerald Ayella, Dickson Lagoro, Silver Opio, Steven Odong,
KIGALI GOLF CLUB: Jean Baptiste Hakizimana, Emmanuel Ruterana, Ernest Ndayisenga, Olivier Munyaneza.
KENYA: David Odhiambo