UCAA Seniors Golf championship 2024:
Overall winners:
- Men: John Katto – 141 Nett
- Ladies: Jeniffer Opio – 141 Nett
Gross winners:
- Men: John Muchiri – 161 Gross
- Ladies: Gertrude Acato – 176 Gross
Professionals:
- Winner: Ronald Otile – 282 Gross (-6)
Over 200 participants (including professionals for the first time) were engaged in the 2024 Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) sponsored seniors’ golf championship played at the par-72 Uganda Golf Club in Kampala.
A new set of champions were crowned after six days of grueling action for the senior golfers (above 55 years), professionals and other cluster (subsidiary).
John Katto and Jenifffer Opio smiled to the podium as the overall winners, dethroning the Kagombe duo of Charles and Edrae who had won the previous year.
Katto amassed a total of 141 nett score played in two rounds (36 holes) with Opio accumulating 141 nett too.
“The victory is sweet” Katto who received a glittering trophy from the UCAA director general Fred Bamwesigye stated.
“I thank all fellow senior golfers, the sponsors led by UCAA and the rest of the players. I look forward continuous playing to further improve the game” Katto, also a gross category player revealed.
In the gross category, John Muchiri and Gertrude Acato scored 161 and 176 gross respectively to win the male and female respective gross categories.
The professionals docket was won by Ronald Otile with 282 gross in four rounds.
Otile claimed a lion’s share of the Ug.Shs 20,000,000 prize money kitty.
This was the first time ever that the professionals played in the seniors’ championship.
Other top performers:
Arthur Gakwandi scored 145 nett to win the platinum event (seniors above 80 years).
In the gold category (75 to 79 years), Aber Luka came top with 146 nett.
Sam Zaramba and Patrick Kabonero were second and third with 155 nett and 156 nett scores respectively.
The silver category (65 to 74 years) was won by Fred Kasumba, the treasurer of Uganda Seniors’ Golfing Society (USGS).
Kasumba scored 148 nett to win on countback over Denis Tindyebwa.
Patrick Kagoro came third with 149 nett.
The bronze section (55 to 64 years) was claimed by Charles Odere (149 nett).
Odere won on a countback over Moses Turyatemba and CD Langoya, who had all scored the same score mark.
Ladies:
With a score of 152 nett, Ruth Ssali won the ladies 65 years plus category (gold).
Ssali was followed by Gertrude Kityo (154) and Neema Tindyebwa (157).
The silver category (55 to 64 years) was claimed by Edrae Kagombe (146 nett).
Dr. Katty Kabenge (151 nett) and Grace Kabonero (155 nett) were second and third respectively.
Side-bets:
Joseph Bagabo swung longest on par-5 hole 18 for the men and Gertrude Kityo for the females.
John Paul Waigo was the winner of the nearest to the pin on the par-3 hole 17.
Subsidiary category:
The golfers below 55 years were also appreciated and recognized.
Andrew Muhwezi won group A men with 143 nett score, three shots better than Michael Tumusiime.
Group B was championed by Dephase Niwangumya with 143 nett and Veeny Birusya came second (145 nett).
In group C; Alex Mutto scored 135 nett to win ahead of Godwill Bindeeba (139).
Ladies:
In the ladies’ subsidiary section; Joyce Kisembo excelled in group A with 146 nett as Harriet Kitaka came second with 147 nett (on countback).
Connie Nshemereirwe scored 145 nett to win group B ahead of Hisae Koshiba (151 nett).
By and large, the seniors’ championship in 2024 was yet another success story for the senior citizens in the game of golf.
UCAA once again headlined the sponsorship bandwagon for the 9th year running.
Other co-partner4 s included Uganda Breweries Limited under the White cap beer brand, crown beverages limited and Safari tours limited.
Besides Golf, UCAA has also engaged in basketball, the corporate league, chess and will hold the annual stake-holders conference on 19th December 2024 in Kampala.
The post Katto, Opio excel at 2024 UCAA Seniors Golf Championship appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
