Nakalembe, Magala pairings reigns at Singleton Challenge
Sebaale did well as an individual to win the men’s Group B honours but his effort was not good enough for his pairing with Basabose as their team got eliminated. Below he is congratulated by John Katto. PHOTOS BY EDDIE CHICCO
ENTEBBE- Moses ‘Golola’ Ssebugwawo and his partner Godfrey Byamugisha turned from heroes to villains in just under one month as the second Singleton Golf Challenge took shape at the par-71 Entebbe Golf Club on March 10.
Ssebugwawo and Byamugisha had given themselves monikers of ‘champions’ in the aftermath of dethroning last year’s winning pair of John Muchiri and Isaac Mariera during the first round played in February. But Round Two came with different fortunes for the combo as 64 pairs were trimmed to 32. From being chest-thumping champions, Ssebugwawo and Byamugisha were reduced to woeful losers by the dynamic female pairing of Irene Nakalembe and Eva Magala.
Defiant in defeat
The two female national team players showed immense composure against an equally talented male pairing, matching them for wit and sometimes bettering them for distance and precision as they reigned 3-2 (three-up with two holes to play).
And as the pair shook hands at No.16, Ssebugwawo was as cheeky and defiant in defeat.
“Those women are not easy,” said Ssebugwawo. “No wonder they are national team players. They were hitting very far and their putting was also on point. But we tried our best and you know our culture doesn’t allow men to beat women.”
Nakalembe, who partnered Maureen Okura last season and reached the Round of 16, will together with Magala march into the third round where their reward for progress will be another tough match up.
Joy and pain
Joy and pain were felt in equal measure by the other 31 pairings apiece for those that earned progress and respectively those that were booted.
Dr Kato Sebbaale and his partner John Paul Basabose offered a talking point. They were ejected by Ellis Katwebaze and Collins Mwebaze, who were clinical enroute to completing a 4-2 win. But Ssebaale had not time to shed any tears as he took home a consolation prize after his tally of 37 points earned him the men’s Group B trophy.
The season’s ultimate prize for the challenge that runs until July is a trip to Dubai for the DP World Tour Championship in November.
Victoria Motors’ offer of a 2018 edition Mitsubishi Pajero Sport for any golfer who manages a hole-in-one remained unclaimed with no one managing the feat.
RESULTS - ROUND TWO SINGLETON
Group winners – men
A: Yusuf Ssentongo 38 points
B: Kato Sebbaale 37 c/b
C: Moses Mukiibi 41
Group winners – women
A: Regina Namata 36 points
B: Diana Nabukenya 41
