After narrowly missing out on the Uganda Amateur Golf Open title last Saturday, Joseph Cwinya-ai returns to the fairways today with a renewed sense of purpose as the 2024 Johnnie Walker Uganda Professional Golf Open tees off at the historic Entebbe Club.
The young golfer, who finished as runner-up to 19-year-old Joseph Akena by a single stroke, is now focused on making his mark in the professional ranks.
Cwinya-ai’s near victory at the Amateur Open was marred by the notorious par-4 17th hole, aptly nicknamed the ‘Akope Challenge.’
Despite an impressive first day, where he carded 15 pars, 1 birdie, and 2 bogeys for a solid 72 strokes, Cwinya-ai’s game began to unravel on the second day.
A double bogey on the same hole foreshadowed further struggles, as he repeated the error in the final rounds, ultimately costing him the title by just one stroke.
Reflecting on his performance, Cwinya-ai said, “Nothing happened, but that’s golf, things happen. Every golfer will have that hole in a 4-day tournament that might make him win or lose – and mine in 2024 was hole 17.”
Today, he steps onto the course for the professional open, hoping that the 17th hole does not haunt him again.
If he can conquer this challenge, he stands a good chance of making the cut and proving his mettle among the seasoned professionals.
The 19th edition of the Johnnie Walker Uganda Professional Golf Open promises to be a fiercely competitive event, with over 100 golfers from across Africa and beyond vying for a share of the UGX 150 million prize fund.
Defending champion Dismas Ndiza of Kenya, who is chasing a record eighth title, headlines the field.
Ndiza, known for his powerful drives, claimed last year’s title with an 11-under-par 277, narrowly defeating Uganda’s Ronald Rugumayo by three strokes.
Rugumayo, another prominent Ugandan golfer, will be looking to avenge last year’s loss as he tees off with Entebbe’s Vincent Byamukama and Kenya’s Samuel N. Chege.
Also in the spotlight is US-based Ugandan Willy Deus Kitata, who will begin his round alongside Zimbabwe’s Morton Kombai and Kenya’s Dennis Saikwa.
In addition to Ndiza, the competition will feature other heavyweights like Zimbabwe’s Robson Chinhoi and the Kibugu brothers, Njoroge and Mutahi, who have deep connections to Uganda.
Former champion Deo Akope, now the president of the Uganda Professional Golf Association, will also be in action, leading a group that includes Emmanuel Opio Onito, son of the legendary Ugandan golfer Sadi Onito.
