2024 Kinyara Golf Open (Gross – Amateurs):
- Overall winner: Joseph Kasozi – 73, 70, 73 (216)
- 2nd: Ivan Sekulima –76, 75, 76 (227)
- 3rd: Abdullah Kakooza – 75, 76, 81 (232)
- 4th: Christopher Basaliza – 74, 77, 82 (233)
- T5: Godfrey Kambale – 88, 73, 73 (234)
- T5: Samuel Bazaale – 79, 80, 75 (234)
- T5: Tonny Ochen –77, 79, 78 (234)
Joseph Kasozi swung to victory at the 26th edition of the Kinyara Golf Open at the par-71 Kinyara golf course in Masindi.
Playing off handicap -3, Kasozi, a member of the Uganda national team scored a total of 216 gross in 54 holes played over three rounds.
Born and bred from the Kinyara course, this was Kasozi’s first triumph in this open, the signature tournament at the facility organized by Kinyara Sugar Works.
“I am excited” Kasozi sighed. “This is my first victory of the Kinyara Golf Open on a golf course that made me who I am today. It is humbling” he added.
Kasozi was 11 shots from the second placed Ivan Sekulima and 16 shots adrift from the third placed golfer Abdullah Kakooza.
In the 54 holes, Kakooza recorded a total of 13 birdies, 19 pars, 9 bogies and 3 double bogies.
He opened the tournament with 2-over-73 on round one that was punctuated by rains on a day that he suffered a broken driver.
“I broke my driver on hole 6 during the first round but soldiered on with the iron and remained in the lead. The rains disturbed us during round two but it was a blessing for me because the wet conditions favour my game” he spoke.
On round two, he played his best golf with 1-under-70 and completed the third round with another 2-over-73.
“This victory is special because it gives me some important points for the world amateur golf system and I look forward with the same ripe form” Kasozi remarked.
Lake Victoria Golf Resort and Spa member Ivan Sekulima came second with 76, 75, 76 (227) and Abdullah Kakooza of Mary Louise Simkins Memorial Golf course in Namulonge was third on the leaderboard with 75, 76, 81 (232).
With a total of 233 gross (74, 77, 82) was Christopher Basaliza. Three golfers Godfrey Kambale, Samuel Bazaale and Tonny Ochen tied in fifth place with 234 gross apiece.
The top five amateurs will share a prize fund of Ug.Shs 5,000,000.
In total, there were 26 amateurs in the competition.
Professionals:
Grace Kasango was outstanding professional in the paid ranks category with 143 gross in 36 holes.
This was Kasango’s second victory at the Kinyara Golf open in the professional docket after the 2022 victory.
Tom Jjingo (145), Ronald Bukenya (146), Saidi Mawa (149), Joseph Mawejje (149), Adolf Muhumuza (150), Emma Ogwang (151), Silver Opio (151), Samuel Kato (152) and Peter Ssendaula (152) all made the treasured cut for the Ug.Shs 10,000,000 kitty.
Seventeen professional golfers participated in total with over 100 in the subsidiary cluster.
Sponsors:
The tournament was officially teed off by Kinyara Sugar Limited General Manager Ramalingam Ravi.
Kinyara Sugar Works are the main organizers, supported by Liaison Group, ICEA Lion Insurance, Gold Star Insurance Company Limited, UAP Old Mutual, Sanlam Insurance and MUA.
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