Local pros aim to make amends at Serena Open
Good Driver. Anguyo impressed at the just concluded 13th Uganda Professionals Open and will once again bank on his long-driving skills to better the elite field that will compete in the Johnnie Walker Serena Open. PHOTO BY JOHN BATANUDDE
KAMPALA. There was a lot left to be desired after only 15 locals beat the seven-over (+7) cut at the 13th Castle Lite Uganda Professionals Golf Open in Entebbe last weekend.
Uganda’s best at the tournament was the pair of Denis Anguyo and Happy Robert who tied in fourth as Kenyan Dismas Indiza claimed his record fifth title.
Not so long after, the Uganda Professionals Golf Association will keep the pros busy again with the inaugural Johnnie Walker Open that tees-off at the revamped Lake Victoria Serena Kigo Golf course today.
In the battle for the Shs25m kitty over three rounds, most of the pros in the 46-man field are here to make amends such as Serena course pro Fred Wanzala who missed the Open cut by three shots.
“Kigo is home so I have to utilize the home advantage,” Wanzala often says, much fitting ahead of the venue’s biggest event ever.
Three-day bonanza
And for other top names that missed the cut in Entebbe like 2013 Open champion Vincent Byamukama, Amos Kamya and Brian Mwesigwa, they must strive and walk more than Johnnie during the three-day showpiece in Kigo. The foreign legion departed the country after the Open but 2016 winner South African Joshua Seale stayed to try better his legacy having missed the cut too in Entebbe.
Of the lot that earned promotion from the amateur ranks last month, only Richard Baguma and teenager David Kamulindwa made the cut with the former tying tenth.
“After a good start in the pros category, I now want to consolidate my game in Kigo,” Baguma offered.
Kamulindwa’s finish in 21st place must have left more experienced players like two-time Pros Open champion Deo Akope and Phillip Kasozi all itching.
Meanwhile, Anguyo is as well eyeing the big prize. “I will try and do it again,” said the much-loved and followed pro of his driving and putting.
