Cwinyaai course record steals thunder

Joseph Cwinyaai gave a free lesson on how golf should be played, Deo Akope showed class is permanent, and Peace Kabasweka got back to winning ways at the ongoing seventh edition of the Absa Bank Uganda Captain’s Bell Tournament.

Cwinyaai set the tournament on fire on day one with a Uganda Golf Club (UGC) Kitante course record-matching 63 strokes that propelled him to victory in the gross (amateur) category.

He secured his third straight title after carding a stunning 16 under-par score of 200 for 54 holes. His 63 on day one, included an astonishing nine birdies. He was 16 strokes ahead of runner-up, teenager Anthony Otukei.

Racing to victory the same day was Deo Akope, the professional players’ boss, who sealed the title with a consummate 11-under-par 277 score over 72 holes.

Kabasweka’s 234 over 54 holes secured her a narrow win over Harriet Kitaka, who was four shots behind.

The much-anticipated 7th edition of the Captain’s Bell Tournament concludes today with an ongoing main event over 18 holes at which staff of Absa Bank Uganda including new Managing Director David Wandera and Paul Charles Rukundo, the UGC captain, are competing.

The Captain’s Bell Tournament, a cherished annual tradition, marks the official introduction by the club’s captain of the new management team to its members.

This year’s event has already provided intense competition, camaraderie, and celebration, with a Shs20 million kitty set aside for the professionals.

The event was backed by sponsorship worth Shs179 million from Absa Bank Uganda.

“Golf has a special way of bringing people together, building friendships, and challenging us to be our best selves on and off the course. At Absa, we believe in the power of sport to inspire and connect communities. We are proud to continue playing a role in writing the story of golf in Uganda,” said Michael Segwaya, Chief Finance Officer, Absa Bank Uganda.

Absa Bank Uganda has been a long-term supporter of the Captain’s Bell Tournament, now marking its seventh consecutive year of sponsorship.

Beyond this tournament, Absa has consistently invested in growing the sport, notably providing top Ugandan golfers with opportunities to participate in international competitions such as the prestigious Magical Kenya Open, part of the European Golf Tour, over the past four years.

Absa Bank Uganda Captain’s Bell

Leaderboard – Top Three

Ladies

Peace Kabasweka 76  77 81 234

Harriet Kitaka 84 76   78 238

Gloria Mbaguta 78 76 84 238

Amateurs

Joseph Cwinyaai 63 71 66 200

Anthony Otukei 79 70 67 216

Lawrence Walakira 76 73 70 219

Professionals

Deo Akope 72 69 68 68 277

Grace Kasango 72 71 74 68 285

Philip Kasozi 69 70 73 74 286