19th Johnnie Walker Uganda Pro Golf Open (Day 1 – 18 Holes):
Leader: Dayne J. Moore (Zambia) – 64
2nd: Jastas Madoya (Kenya) – 66
3rd: Samuel N. Chege (Kenya) – 68
4th: Abraham Ainamani (Uganda) – 69
T5: Celestin Nsanzuwera (Rwanda) – 70
T5: Mike Kisia (Kenya) – 70
T5: Opio Onito (Uganda) – 70
Upon the second outing on the lake side Entebbe course, Zambian professional Dayne J. Moore ticked most boxes right during the first round of the 19th Johnnie Walker Uganda Professional Open on Wednesday.
In 2019, Moore was in Entebbe and liked the course. Five years later, he returns to the same fortress and grabbed the headlines on the opening round with a magical 7-under 64 score.
A deft chip for a would-be an eye-catching eagle on the par-5 hole 18 was missed for a birdie and the Ndola club based professional, a regular figure on the Sunshine tour reacted with agony.
Dayne Moore chipping the ball to the 18th green
Dayne Moore after holing out on hole 18
Zambian Professional golfer Dayne Moore
On a sunny day in Entebbe, Moore recorded as many as 9 birdies on holes 1, 3, 4, 7, 10, 11, 14, 15 and 18.
He had 7 pars (2, 5, 8, 9, 12, 13 and 17) with two troublesome holes where he had bogie scores; ironically par-3’s (6 and 16).
“I enjoyed the opening round. Entebbe is a good place” a relaxed Moore who played with two Ugandans Henry Lujja and Hussein Bagalana remarked.
Lujja returned 10-over (81) and Bagalana was 11-over (82).
“Golf is unique. Today, I had 7-under. You cannot tell what I will play tomorrow or the next days. But, the target remains – to play well” Moore added.
Moore is the overnight leader with 2 shots ahead of second placed Jastas “Pastor” Madoya who played 5-under 66 on the day.
Jastas Madoya with the distance measuring device | Credit: Don Mugabi
Jastas Madoya in action during round one of the 2024 Johnnie Walker Uganda Professional Golf Open in Entebbe | Credit: Don Mugabi
The soft spoken Madoya, a former winner of the open in Entebbe (2021) rates Moore highly but he is optimistic of a great display come the remaining rounds.
“He (Moore) is a solid player that I have watched closely. There is still a lot of golf to play and today was just an eye-opener” Madoya revealed as he practiced on the putting greens.
Madoya is a Vet-Lab Golf Club member who scored 7 birdies, 9 pars and 2 bogies during the first 19 holes.
Keeping a keen eye on the two top placed golfers is Kenya Railways Golf Club’s Samuel N. Chege who returned to the club house a 3-under 68 mark.
Chege’s score card read 6 birdies, 9 pars and 3 bogies as he gets to the second round in third position.
Long hitting Abraham Ainamani is fourth with 2-under-69, the best performing Ugandan after round one.
Three professionals; Celestin Nsanzuwera (Rwanda), Mike Kisia (Kenya) and another Ugandan Emmanuel Opio Onito are all jointly tied in fifth place with 1-under-70.
Robson Chinoi before playing
Martin Ochaya follows the flight of his ball
Eva Magala chips the ball
Flavia Namakula
Joseph Mawejje
Herman Mutaawe putting
Mutahi Kibugu follows flight of the ball on day one of the 2024 Johnnie Walker Uganda Pro Golf Open | Credit: Don Mugabi
Newly crowned Uganda Amateur Open champion Joseph Reagan Akena, runners up Joseph Cwinya-ai, Adolf Muhumuza, Jeff Kubwa, Phillip Kasozi, Visitor Mapwanya and Tanzanian Elisante Lembris all played the course level (71) and are jointly tied in 8th place.
US based Ugandan Willy Deus Kitata, Deo Akope, Zambian Sydney Wemba, Pride Sembo (Zimbabwe), Promise Sombreiro and former winner Robson Chinhoi are all slightly above the course par score (with 72).
The reigning champion Dismas Indiza (Kenya) is tied for 28th place with 3 over-74, alongside three other players.
The brave search for a stray ball played in the rough
Day two on Thursday, 5th August 2024 promises to spark fireworks as the professionals fight to get into the desired cutline to partake of the Ug.Shs 150,000,000 total prize money kitty.
Johnnie Walker is the headline sponsor. Absa Bank, Pinnacle Security, Crown Beverages, among others are some of the supporting partners.
Leaderboard after round 1:
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