The first round of the fifth season of Singleton Golf Challenge was held on Saturday, 29th May 2021 at the par 71 Entebbe Golf Club course.
There was an overwhelming turn up of golfers in the main event as well as in the subsidiary category.
Going into the second round scheduled for 25th June, there are only three all-female teams left in the main event.
Uganda Ladies Golf Union (ULGU) President Anne Abeja and her Vice Ritah Akot Apell, 2018 winners Peace Kabasweka and Sheila Kesiime as well as Lillian Koowe and Sharon Musiimenta are the ladies pairings still standing.
Abeja and Akot overcame the pairing of Stanley Muhwezi and Edwin Tumusiime 4-up while Kabasweka and Kesiime won 7-up over Ruth Mugisha and Grace Njeri. Koowe and Musiimenta went past Gilbert Asiimwe and Charles Kabunga 3-up.
Last season’s semifinalists Oscar Semawere and Marvin Kagoro are out after losing 4-up to Joseph Kimani and Fred Kimbuge.
Subsidiary Group
Timothy Okwi beat Robert Busingye with 35 points on count back to emerge winner in men’s Group A while Paul Ndyaguma was second runner up with 34 points.
Allan Murungi was men’s Group B winner with 36 points while Sebbale Kato beat Allan Akiira with 35 points on count back to emerge second.
In men’s Group C, Kotecha Chirag was winner with 41 points, Paul Ndyaguma was second with 40 points while Jimmy Adiga completed the podium with 39 points.
In the ladies category, Resty Nalutaaya narrowly beat Jenina Nasimolo with 37 points on count back to win Group A. Lukia Tiko finished third with 34 points.
In Group B, Mbarara Club Lady Captain Godlive Nayebare was winner with 37 points. Gertrude Kityo came second with 31 points and Entebbe Club Lady Captain Charity Tushabomwe was third with 30 points.
David Musisi won the seniors’ category with 36 points whilst Antonio Di Fonzo was runner up with 34 points.
Side Bets
Hasifah Karungi claimed both the ladies nearest to the pin and longest drive accolades for the ladies.
Samuel Sejjaka won the male nearest to the pin contest with Andrew Baguma taking the bragging rights for the longest drive on hole 18.
Round Two Match-ups
There are interesting match-ups coming up in the second round of the challenge and they include;
Abeja and Akot battling the pairing of Joseph Kimani and Fred Kimbuge while Kabasweka and Kesiime will face Sammy Migunda and Muhammad Jezan.
Koowe and Musiimenta shall battle Albert Gitta and Herbert Olowo as Collins Mwesiga and Jackie Kwesiga take on Andrew Atuhaire and Michael Muhangi.
Yunus Bbaale and Irene Nakalembe shall play Casper Okiru and Ronald Osekeny among other pairings.
The Singleton Golf Challenge has been played since 2017 and is now arguably the most interesting monthly amateur championship with a lively 19th hole experience celebrated along different themes.
Meanwhile, last season’s winning pair of Innocent Nahabwe and Adoch Luwum didn’t honour this year’s edition.
Schedule
- 26th June – Round Two
- 24th July – Round Three
- 21st August – Round Tour
- 30th October – Round Five
- 27th November – Grand Finale.
Singleton Golf Challenge Past Winners
- 2020: Innocent Nahabwe & Adoch Luwum
- 2019: Richard Lutwama & Robert Busingye
- 2018: Peace Kabasweka & Sheila Kesiime
- 2017: Isaac Mariera & John Muchiri