Cwinyaai takes two-strokes lead in the President’s Cup Championship

Joseph Cwinyaai shot an opening round of one-under 71 to take a two-stroke lead as the inaugural edition of the President’s Cup teed off at the Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort on Wednesday.

The national team captain is two strokes ahead of another national team player, Joseph Kasozi, who shot one-over 73 in the event aimed and cultivating and nurturing talent for the local youngsters, according to the Uganda Golf Union president, Jackson Were, the brains behind the 54-hole (three rounds) competition, combining gross and match-play rounds.

“We want to increase the competition among our elite amateurs and juniors as we continue growing the game in the country,” Were said.

The tightly contested event had three players, Pius Omara, Joseph Akena, and ShaShank Gadre, tied in third position after they returned 74 apiece. Godfrey Kambale and Andrew Ssekibejja, who played 75 each, were tied for fifth each while Ibrahim Bagalana, Ibrahim Ssemakula, and Abdallah Kakooza, who all played four-over 76, completed the top ten in the leaderboard after the first round.

In the ladies’ division, Peace Kabasweka (77 gross) also held a one-stroke lead ahead of Martha Babirye, while Meron Kyomugisha was three strokes away from the leader, having carded 80. Gloria Mbaguta and youngster Harsshitha Loganathan played 83.

There was a cut after the first round, leaving the field for the top 16 out of forty and only eight in the ladies’ division to set up the quarterfinal matchups.

In the second round quarterfinal match-play round, Cwinyaai is pitted against Edgar Muzahura, while Kasozi is up against Juma Abiti, as Pius Omara and Ssekibejja entertain Titus Okwong and Kakooza, respectively. Akena takes on Ashvin Kananathan, Gadre is up against Charles Mulyanga, Kambale fights it out with James Sekulima, and there is the battle between the Ibrahims: Bagalana and Ssemakula.

In the ladies’ category, Kabasweka is up against Gloria Nanyonga, while Babirye faces off with Assa Nambogwe as Kyomugisha and Gloria Mbaguta entertain Harriet Kitaka and Loganathan.

Golfers will thereafter on Saturday compete in the Muema Challenge, East Africa’s premier golf tournament series that brings together elite players, corporate leaders, and impact-driven partners in a competitive yet purpose-filled environment, at the same facility.

Top ten after first round

Joseph Cwinyaai 71

Joseph Kasozi 73

Pius Omara 74

Joseph Akena 74

ShaShank Gadre 74

Godfrey Kambale 75

Andrew Ssekibejja 75

Ibrahim Bagalana 76

Ibrahim Ssemakula 76

Abdallah Kakooza 76

Top five ladies

Peace Kabasweka 77

Martha Babirye 78

Meron Kyomugisha 80

Gloria Mbaguta 83

Harsshitha Loganathan 83