Uganda Open: UGU vice president Kihika expects flawless professionals event

Uganda Golf Union vice president Innocent Kihika

What you need to know:

  • Monday’s heavydown was one of the strongest Kampala has experienced in a long while and Kihika hopes the heavens will be lenient in the next couple of days.

Kampala. Uganda Golf Union vice president Innocent Kihika cannot wait for today’s tee-off of the professionals in the last leg of the Uganda Open.
On the back of successful editions of the Ladies Open and Amateurs, the former Entebbe Club chairman reckons the professionals, who tee off today, will deliver a Championship to remember.

“We had the largest group of ladies ever to compete in the Uganda Open and that was historic,” Kihika observed of the tournament won by Tanzania’s Angel Eaton.
“And it was a Championship that went all the way to a final hole.”
His view of the Amateurs tournament, won by Ronald Rugumayo, was more radiant.

Great amateurs Open
“If you missed the pulsating final day of that competition, you have got to kick yourself. The tension, the shot-by-shot drama and playoff drama was nothing like we have witnessed before in a long time and that in itself made the competition of 220 golfers unforgettable,” Kihika gushed. Of the 220, 106 had a handicap of seven or below.

He believes the rich field of competitors in the professionals – over 90 from nine countries - will see another enthralling race for the Holy Grail to the final hole.
“Last year’s winner Seale (Joshua) is here but you can’t discount the Kenyans and our very own golfers.”

Monday’s heavydown was one of the strongest Kampala has experienced in a long while and Kihika hopes the heavens will be lenient in the next couple of days.
“For the players and the gallery, we can only pray and hope that the skies are kind. We obviously have no control over mother nature and the best we can do is hope that the conditions allow good golf.”