The only tourism city in Uganda had the weekend bragging rights as Toro club hosted the 2022 edition of the tea brokers company which has closely built a strong relationship for 19 years of partnership.
Joseph Cwinyaai playing off handicap +4 returned a gross of 73 to win the 19th edition of the Venus open at Toro club in Fort Portal tourism city. The national team captain, coach of AFRIYEA golf academy and member of Toro club beat Peter Kisembo to emerge as the overall winner of the tournament.
Like other parts of the country which haven’t been spared by the adversative dry weather conditions, players had to battle it on the dry greens and fairways.
The prestigious event was graced by people like JB Tumusiime, a former chairman local council five of Mbarara district who also doubles as the trustee of the Uganda golf union and a patron of AFRIYEA golf academy – Uganda. Other dignitaries and senior members include Smart Bwango, Atwooki Gilbert Mujogya, David Mugambwa, Jill pinda, Mariam Kluge, Charles Kagombe, Mzee Basaliza, Ronald Kwikiriza, Saul Kusemererwa and Light Kisembo among others.
Toro club; a 100+ years old nine hole golf course, up country sports and social facility engrossed 51 players from various golf clubs namely, Kilembe Mines, Mbarara, Masindi and Kinyara golf clubs.
Bernard Baguma and Frank Kirungi, the captain and chairman respectively appreciated Venus tea brokers for sponsoring the event and requested them to consider the pros in the forthcoming edition.
Joseph Cwinyaai said, “I am very happy to win this tournament and this is my fourth Venus open and it’s also my first major in this New Year, 2022. I am hoping it’s going to lead me into more majors while I prepare for pro ranks next year, 2023.”
Joseph came to this event after playing the national team qualifiers where he arose 3rd of the 10 senior players that were needed on the team. This made him continue with his captaincy of the national team which he has held for 3 years.
Joseph also used this opportunity to inspire the juniors in the AFRIYEA Golf Academy to not only become champions of golf but also to prioritize education whilst considering life skills and social opportunities when playing golf.
The tournament was organized by Jill Pinda, a course member together with club pro, Happy Robert with the help of other pros like Adolf Muhumuza, David Kamulindwa and the club executive committee members such as Andrew Isagara, George Kaihura, Collins Accelam, Lillian Koowe, Isaiah Mwesige, Bernard Baguma and Frank Kirungi.
WINNERS
GROSS
WINNER – JOSEPH CWINYAAI (73)
Runner up – PETER KISEMBO (78)
Group A: 6-12
WINNER -ANDREW OKETI (73 NET)
Runner up – CHRIS ARINAITWE (78)
GROUP B: 13-18
WINNER -ALBERT MWEBAZE (65)
Runner up – FRANK KIRUNGI (74)
GROUP C: 19+
WINNER – PATRICK AGABA (66 NET)
Runner up – JB TUMUSIIME (71 NET)
LADIES
GROSS
WINNER – JOYCE KISEMBO
WINNER GROUP A
WINNER – JANET KABAYONGA (80 NET)
Runner up – LILLIAN KOOWE (80 NET)
GROUP B
WINNER – JILL PINDA (73 NET)
Runner up – PHILO KALENZI (73 NET)
SENIORS 55-65 YEARS
WINNER – WILLIAM BIZIBU (70 NET)
Runner up – PETER OBITA (73)
SENIORS 66+
WINNER – CHARLES KAGOBE
Runner up – ATWOOKI GILBERT MUJOGYA
SIDE BETS
LONGEST DRIVE MEN – JOSEPH CWINYAAI
LONGEST DRIVE LADIES – LILLIAN KOOWE
NEAREST TO PIN MEN – JOSEPH TUSIIME
The average scores are a reflection of the adversative bad weather conditions.
Guest players on this tournament were Richard and Paul who were recommended by Ineke Jongerius from Ruwenzori View guest house in Fort portal and they were given a good reception and equipment to use by Isaiah Mwesige.
Visit Ruwenzori View website: www.ruwenzoriview.com
This data was collected by a staff of AFRIYEA golf academy at Toro club chapter AFRIYEA Golf academy is the official youth golf development partner of Toro club in Fort portal and Masindi Golf and sports club in the serene of Masindi District of Uganda.
The youngsters at AFRIYEA Golf Academy are in incredibly in capable hands under the tutelage of Head Coach Stephen Kasaija who is the former national team coach and his assistant George Kituku, a former national team player plus a strong field of other national and professional players such as Joseph Cwinya-ai who is the current national team captain, Adolf Muhumuza, Happy Robert, Mackline Nsenga, Koowe Lillian among others and with the utmost support and guidance from the legal advisor Isaac Singura and patrons JB Tumusiime, David Mugambwa and Dr.Edward Nyatia.
The academy set priority objectives and goals are to enable the youth and under aged children to be enriched with various professions including the game of golf, education, environmental conservation and life skills to enhance social-economic opportunities.
