Kibirige triumphs over Rugumayo during sudden death in inaugural Pearl of Africa golf series

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2025 Pearl of Africa Golf Series (Kampala Leg – Professionals):

Winner: Marvin Kibirige – 68, 72, 72, 72 (284) – won after sudden death
2: Ronald Rugumayo – 68, 77, 69, 70 (284)
3: Phillip Kasozi – 72, 76, 69, 71 (288)
4: David Kamulindwa – 71, 71, 73, 75 (290)
5: Tadeo Rodell Gaita – 70, 76, 71, 74 (291)
6: Deo Akope – 71, 74, 74, 73 (292)
T7: Grace Kasango – 77, 71, 71, 75 (294)
T7: Brian Mwesigwa – 73, 78, 75, 68 (294)
T9: Opio Onito – 76, 70, 76, 74 (296)
T9: Irene Nakalembe – 71, 76, 73, 76 (296)

Predictably, the Pearl of Africa Golf series at the par-72 Uganda Golf Club (UGC) in both the gross and professional dockets lived to the anticipated billing.

Whilst the gross players competed in 54 holes, the professionals had a grueling 72 holes’ action over four days.

Each round came forth with its own approach, demands, strategy, thrills and anticipations.

Namulonge bred professional Marvin Kibirige won the paid ranks cluster with a sudden death victory over Ronald Rugumayo.

Both golfers had tied on 284 gross apiece after epic four rounds.

Main pressure group for professionals at Pearl of Africa Golf series on the final day in Kampala | Credit: Aminah Babirye

“It was a good win and tense at some stage especially during the climax. I thank the organizing team, my management and the rest of my fellow players” Kibirige remarked.

Kibirige opened up with a 4-under-68 mark and played an identical level par 72 score for the subsequent three rounds.

In total, Kibirige registered a total of 38 pars, 15 birdies and bogies apiece, 3 eye catching eagles and 1 troublesome double bogey on the par-3 hole 9 during the third round.

Ronald Rugumayo chips from the sand bunker | Credit: Aminah Babirye

Rugumayo, like Kibirige started with 68, had a torrid time with 5-over-77, improved to 3-under-69 and had the second best second on the final round, 2-under-70.

Brian Mwesigwa carried the third day’s bragging rights with 4-under-68, improving to joint seventh on the final leaderboard, alongside Grace Kasango.

The professional kitty was Ug.Shs 20,000,000 shared among the top 23 golfers.

Kibirige, Rugumayo, Phillip Kasozi, David Kamulindwa, Tadeo Rodell Gaita, Deo Akope, Grace Kasango, Brian Mwesigwa, Opio Onito, Irene Nakalembe, Abraham Ainamani, Samuel Kato, Ronald Otile, Becca Mwanja, Davis Kato, Richard Baguma, Herman Deco Mutebi, Emma Ogwang, Ronald Bukenya, Mackie Nasser, Adolf Muhumuza, Bulhan Matovu and Ashraf Bagalana all had a share of the money.

Irene Nakalembe was the only lady to have made the cut | Credit: John Batanudde Credit: John Batanudde

The gross category played over 54 holes was won by John Musiimenta (a member of Uganda Golf Club) who led from start to finish.

Musiimenta also had the best overall gross mark of 7-under-65. After 54 grueling holes, the national team player returned a combined 2-over 218 gross score to climax the Kampala leg.

Jinja club’s Sande Lulet opened with 3-over-75, 4-over-76 and a 1-under-71 on the final round for a combined 6-over-222 gross mark.

The subsidiary cluster joined the party on the final day of action.

The Pearl of Africa Golf series were established to give the gross and professional players more playing time.

Two more legs will be played in Entebbe and Lugazi in the coming months.

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