Ssemakula, Birabwa top Entebbe Juniors Golf Open

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Lugazi Hills Golf and Country Club’s Ibrahim Ssemakula returned six-over 219 over 54 holes to win the Entebbe Juniors Golf Open at Entebbe Club on Friday.

The score was one stroke better than that of Anthony Otukei Junior who scored 220 in the annual championship that climaxes several junior holiday clinics at the different clubs in the country.

This was Ssemakula's first overall win since his third-place finish in the same championship in 2021.

Entebbe Club junior golfers pose with their certificates and medals after the juniors open, January 25, 2025. (Photo by Michael Nsubuga)

“I am happy that I have finally grabbed the overall prize. I was confident because I was the only ‘senior’ player among the juniors and I think my experience was decisive in the end,” Ssemakula, 17, said.

“I was chasing a stroke going into the last round and I was able to catch up and eventually win it by a stroke. My experience with the national team and having played many more events than my opponents was decisive,” Ssemakula, who notched 15 birdies over the three rounds, stated.

The overall winner, Entebbe Club’s Frista Birabwa said it was by the Grace of God that she won. She beat defending champion Winnie Musuya on count-back, both having scored 258 over the three days.

“I tied with Musuya in the opening round on 86 gross each but slipped in the second round to fourth position as I wasn’t feeling very well, and gave up at that point. So, I came to the last round just focused on improving my previous score but I improved by ten strokes and that is how I won it. The scores are not very impressive but this is what I have reaped,” Birabwa, 18, who played her last juniors event noted.

She is now focused on making it to the ladies’ national team together with runners up Musuya who also is now eyeing a call up to the national team.

“I lost it on the last day, especially with my three putts on the 18th hole, otherwise I could have won it,” Musuya said.

Junior golfers from the Entebbe Child Develoment Center pose with their certificates and medals after the juniors open, January 25, 2025. (Photo by Michael Nsubuga)

“I notice a difference in my game and my target now is to start scoring in the 70s and I’m working on it. The tournament was good because it showed me that I have improved in several aspects of my game,” Musuya 16, who was playing her fourth juniors’ event, stated.

Entebbe Club lady captain Jovia Tugume said the event was very successful with over 200 juniors from various clubs taking part.

“We have been running golf lessons for the last two months like the other clubs and this is always the climax of the programs,” Tugume noted.

She thanked the parents, Entebbe Club, the Uganda Ladies Golf Union and the Uganda Golf Union for supporting the juniors. 

Boys-overall

Ibrahim Ssemakula 70 75 74 219

Anthony Otukei Jr 69 75 76 220

Girls-overall

Frista Birabwa 86 90 80 258 C/B

Winnie Musuya 86 84 88 258

18 holes

Elvis Mungudit 77

Patrick Mubiru 78

Girls

Danielle Kawalya 91

Erica Musiime 104

9 holes

Peter Eywayo 45

Medalido Atiku 47

Girls

Stephanie Kamikanzi 48

Vanessa Kitata 52

6 holes

Jonathan Baluku 30

Varad 32

Girls

Rosemary Achieng 41

Holly Ngozi 44

3 holes

Jonah Wabbi 15

Aaron Ocheng 19

Girls

Jannipher Nalubega 18

Sharon Nakabiri 19

Skills test

Nathan Kawooya 7ptsc/b

King Agamile 7

Sarah Nakinaba 7

Nicole Nakecho 6