In reality, a one-stroke edge means nothing in the game of golf with another 18 holes to play
on the final day of the Johnnie Walker Uganda Seniors Open at the par-71 Entebbe Club. But
for Godfrey Onyango Matata, that advantage will mean something going into Friday’s final
round.
The pressure group due to tee off at 1pm has the battle-hardened Steven Katwiremu, Isaac
Mariera, Tony Kisadha and Matata. The difference between all four is just two strokes. By all
accounts, there are many more twists and turns. It is very close at the top of the leaderboard.
Even the second pressure group is not out of contention by any means. The two Johns, Muchiri
and Katto are within sight.
Matata decried his putting despite playing a ten-over round of 81. “I had many three putts,”
Matata said. “If I can better, I believe I can take down my score.”
Last year, he lost in a playoff to Katwiremu but Matata insists that he will focus solely on his
game and not his opponents. “If I can beat the course, then I will be home and dry. I have no
control over what my opponents will do, but I have full control over what I can do.” Mariera
and Kisadha are equally talented golfers and that four-ball should treat the gallery to some
enthralling competition.
While the leaders are locked in a tight contest, Oscar Semweya Musoke has no rivals. The
Capital Gang host return a score of 136, 16 strokes behind Andreas Papaloizou. Semweya’s best
scores were double-bogeys on the par-3s 10 and 12 that brought a considerable degree of
propriety to his scorecard.
In the women’s competition, Jenina Nasimolo and Edrae Kagombe are locked at 90, one better
than Catherin Pavie and four ahead of Katy Kabenge.
In the event of a tie for both the men and women, there will be a playoff to determine the
champion.
Other sponsors of the Uganda Open are ABSA Bank, Pinnacle Security Limited, Aquafina, Case
Medical Services, HH Solutions, Medisell, NCS, MTN, NBS Sport and Orchard Interiors.
