Kasozi, Akope hopeful at UGC Captain’s Bell

Uganda professional golfer Phillip Kasozi took some time off the radar after missing the cut at two European Tour events in Kenya back in March.
“I was advised by one of the players Finn Kalle Samooja I played with from Europe to take a break,” Kasozi said this week.
He featured at the Magical Kenya Open and Kenya Savannah Classic but did not get into the prize money bracket at Karen Country Club in Nairobi.
The impact of the break however, will be measured when Kasozi returns to the course to compete over two rounds at the Uganda Golf Club (UGC) Captain’s Bell tournament beginning at Kitante today.
The three-day event set to bid farewell to Jackson Karyarugokwe and usher in a new UGC captain Patrick Billy, has attracted a kitty of Shs8m from sponsors Absa Bank.
Sensing the regional Safari Tour Series could get tee-off next month, Kasozi wants to try out some of the lessons picked from the Kenya Open at the par-72 course.
And he is quite ambitious. “I am looking for -10 through 36 holes, it is the only way to survive,” he said. But, Kasozi must beat a field of 30 players to take home the biggest share of the kitty.
Besides, to achieve that purity on course, Kasozi will also need to counter some wet parts of the course as a result of the recent heavy rains.

Akope factor
He also faces a field that has two-time Uganda Professionals Open winner Deo Akope who is also looking to better his act after missing the cut at the Kenya Savannah Classic.
“My target is to try and play as under par as I can,” he said. “I will be satisfied if I beat the course. The conditions are tough at the moment because of the rains.”
Before Nairobi, Akope had tied fourth with Brian Toolit at the Rwenzori Open which was won by homeboy Ronald Rugumayo in Fort Portal.
There is UGC’s Abbey Bagalana who last month made the cut to finish 16th on his pro debut in West Africa at the Ivory Coast Open.  
Rugumayo and his Tooro-bred counterparts David Kamulindwa, Abraham Ainamani, and Entebbe’s Herman Mutebi among others are all keen on starring.
Winning the league, however, demands more than just assembling a good team and head coach George Mayenga will have that in mind.

CAPTAIN’S BELL 
Venue: Uganda Golf Club,    Kitante
Main event: May 22
Professionals: May 20-21
Main Event: May 23
Format: Medal
Outgoing Captain: Jackson Karyarugokwe
Incoming Captain: Patrick Billy
Pro Kitty: Shs8m by Absa Bank