Golf: Tumusiime ends title drought with Pearl of Africa win
Undeterred by the setback, Tumusiime remained focused on his goals and was finally rewarded with victory at the Entebbe leg of the Pearl of Africa Golf Series amateur tournament on Friday.
Michael Tumusiime (right) shares a light moment with Thembo after he won the POA Golf Series at Entebbe Club, April 4, 2025. (Photo by Michael Nsubuga)
Michael Nsubuga
Sports journalist @New Vision
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Three years ago, Michael Tumusiime narrowly missed his first major title at the 2022 Uganda Open. He led until a costly +4 bogey on the par-5 hole 17 allowed Andrew Ssekibejja to claim the trophy.
Undeterred by this setback, Tumusiime continued to pursue his goals and was rewarded with a victory at the Entebbe leg of the Pearl of Africa Golf Series amateur tournament on Friday.
Tumusiime carded a closing round of two-over par 73 to secure his first career major, finishing two strokes ahead of overnight leader Elton Thembo. Thembo entered the final round with a one-stroke lead but struggled to match his performance from the previous two rounds, ultimately finishing with a score of five-over par 76. His total for the 54 holes was 216. He was fortunate to end up in second place, as challengers Reagan Akena and Joseph Kasozi also fell short.
“The journey has been very long. Three years ago, I lost the Uganda Open after I made a few mistakes on hole 17. But I guess since then I have learned how to control my emotions, especially when I’m in the lead, and I have learned to do the right things at the right time,” Tumusiime said.
Thembo watches the flight of his ball during the POA Golf Series at Entebbe Club, April 4, 2025. (Photo by Michael Nsubuga)
“Failure is an opportunity to learn, and I think I have used that to get here. And for this tournament, I played with a few of my good friends, which made it even more comfortable, and I think that is the reason I have won today.
“I think I played well over the three days; sometimes you get those good days when things seem to go your way, and golf is like that it can be both rewarding and/or or very cruel and I think I have just been rewarded for the hard work I have put in,” Tumusiime stated.
He said he did not expect to win and only got a hint that he was winning when he was told to mark the short putt he had to play last.
“It is like a belated 50th birthday gift for me because I made 50 recently, so I’m going to have a few cups of tea with my friends and see what happens next. But at least I finally have a win, for as long as God is with me, I will keep trying.”
The turning point was on holes 13, 14, 15 and 16 when Tumusiime gained five strokes on his faltering challenger. It was evident that Thembo crumbled under pressure, and he will no doubt learn harsh lessons from his poor decision-making on the back 9.
Reagan Akena watches the flight of his ball during the POA Golf Series at Entebbe Club, April 4, 2025. (Photo by Michael Nsubuga)
“Failure is an opportunity to learn, and I think I have used that to get here. And for this tournament, I played with a few of my good friends, which made it even more comfortable, and I think that is the reason I have won today.
“I think I played well over the three days; sometimes you get those good days when things seem to go your way, and golf is like that it can be both rewarding and/or or very cruel and I think I have just been rewarded for the hard work I have put in,” Tumusiime stated.
He said he did not expect to win and only got a hint that he was winning when he was told to mark the short putt he had to play last.
“It is like a belated 50th birthday gift for me because I made 50 recently, so I’m going to have a few cups of tea with my friends and see what happens next. But at least I finally have a win, for as long as God is with me, I will keep trying.”
The turning point was on holes 13, 14, 15 and 16 when Tumusiime gained five strokes on his faltering challenger. It was evident that Thembo crumbled under pressure, and he will no doubt learn harsh lessons from his poor decision-making on the back 9.
Top six
Michael Tumusiime 71 70 73 214
Elton Thembo 70 70 76 216
Joseph Kasozi 71 73 73 217
Reagan Akena 73 70 74 217
Godfrey Kambale 74 76 69 219
Peter Tumusiime 73 73 74 220
Shashank Gadre 70 76 74 220
Ladies
Peace Kabasweka 78 77 81 236
Meron Kyomugisha 79 79 80 238
Subsidiary
Overall winners
Phillemon Akatuhurira 63nett
Ruth Akello 68
Group A
Yunus Bbaale 67nett
Rodney Turyatemba 69
Group B
David Tumwesigye 69c/b
Russle Knight 69c/b
Group C
Brian Nsubuga 65c/b
Gerald Ataremwa 65
Ladies Group A
Jackie Kamunyu 70
Joan Nampewo 72
Group B
Susan Knight 69c/b
Charity Atuhaire 69
Seniors
Isaac Mariera 70
Gertrude Kityo 77
Juniors challenge
Frista Birabwa
Longest drive
Stephen Kabugo
Joan Nampewo
Nearest to the pin
Nicholas Kebba
Rukia Nalwoga
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