Prime
Cautious Kamuntu stars at tough Katogo Series finale
Brighet Basiima. PHOTO/EDDIE CHICCO
What you need to know:
The handicap 20 player departed Entebbe Club as the best decorated after he had returned a best score of 65 nett to beat a field of 138 players and win the final leg of the Katogo Golf Series presented by I&M Bank.
It is during this month that Herbert Kamuntu will mark three years as a golfer. And fittingly, Kamuntu at the weekend smiled to his first overall win at a tournament.
The handicap 20 player departed Entebbe Club as the best decorated after he had returned a best score of 65 nett to beat a field of 138 players and win the final leg of the Katogo Golf Series presented by I&M Bank.
“Of course, I am excited. I was a little bit unwell and I could have played better,” a relaxed Kamuntu said on a busy evening as Afrigo Band rocked the white-lit 19th hole prize giving ceremony.
Kamuntu, who won an air ticket from RwandAir to either Dubai, Johannesburg, Nairobi or Kigali, could afford to carry his head high because he had arguably the toughest format of play called ‘Double Bogey Danger’.
Here, when a player carded a double bogey score on a particular hole, they would lose a club from their bag on each of the ensuing holes until they scored a par.
Such unique formats have thrilled golfers at the Katogo Series and Saturday’s format difficulty left tournament director Paul Kaheru nicknamed ‘The Evil Guy’.
And little wonder, 29 players were not able to finish their rounds because they had run out of clubs, according to Kaheru. However, Kamuntu exuded cautiousness and patience to sail through.
“I did not get a double bogey on the first four holes. It was about playing safe. Today was to remind myself to play safe,” Kamuntu narrated his game plan.
“It was more about game management, more of a lesson to me as a mid-handicapper that I should not give away a single shot.
He recalls scoring pars where it mattered most, such as on Holes par-5s No.1, No.7 and No.18, par-3 No.2 and par-4 No.5.
“I had many bogeys. I finished the round with all my clubs. I had a triple-bogey on par-3 No.6, recovered with a par on No.7, also a double bogey on par-4 No.17 but recovered with par on No.18,” added Kamuntu.
The Series, according to Katogo captain Elly Kibuka Mukasa and platinum sponsor I&M Bank’s Annette Nakiyaga, will expand to Rwanda next year.
I&M KATOGO GOLF SERIES
DOUBLE BOGEY DANGER RESULTS
Overall Winner (M): Herbert Kamuntu 65 nett
Overall Winner (L): Bridget Basiima 69 nett (c/b)
Gross Winner: Edgar Muzahura 73
GROUP WINNERS
LADIES
GROUP A
Winner: Joan Nampewo 69 nett
Runner-up: Berna Musanabera 73 nett
GROUP B
Winner: Florah Ihunde 73 nett
Runner-up: Rosette Tugume 75 nett
MEN
GROUP A
Winner: Twinemanzi Tumubweine 66 nett
Runner-up: Peter Magona 67 nett
GROUP B
Winner: Gerrard Ataremwa 66 nett (c/b)
Runner-up: Simon Onadra 66 nett
GROUP C
Winner: Edward Nangono 69 nett
Runner-up: Ceaser Scott Barole 70 nett
LONGEST DRIVE
L: Berna Musanabera
M: Andrew Baguma
NEAREST TO THE PIN
L: Joan Nampewo
M: Arthur Gwaaku
