Veteran golfers David Plenderleith and Catherine Pavie were crowned champions of the Seniors Tournament of the 2025 Johnnie Walker Uganda Open Golf Championship on Saturday 23 August, winning the men’s and ladies’ categories respectively at Lugazi Hills Golf and Country Club.
After two rounds, Plenderleith, a member of Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa returned a gross score of 167 in the three-ball tournament. He had shot 83 in the opening round but went one shot higher on Saturday.
Plenderleith who is 71 and has played the game for 64 years, made two birdies on the par-5 hole 16 and the par-3 hole 3 during the tournament. On a challenging course, he attributed his triumph to luck as the rest of the pack struggled to navigate the terrain.
“Well, everybody has luck and maybe it was my turn to have a little bit of luck, sometimes that’s how the game goes,” Plenderleith said, adding: “I haven’t played well for the last nine months and this win is a fantastic boost. I plan to play more senior tournaments in the coming months.”
Former winner John Muchiri settled for the runner-up spot with rounds of 86 and 84 for a total of 170, while Tony Kisadha carded 85 and 87 to finish two strokes back in third on 172. Michael Cleave signed for 176 and Rwanda’s Joseph Semwaga posted 178 to round out the top five on the leaderboard.
In the ladies’ event, Jinja Club’s Catherine Pavie, who had been subjected to a bridesmaid role for some time, finally managed to get the title within her grasp. She returned a gross score of 192 to win the ladies’ overall title, having jointly led the opening round with last year’s winner, Edrea Kagombe.
“I play on this course almost every week because Jinja is about 45 minutes away. I felt at ease because I knew the course well,” she said.
“It was a great competition but I didn’t feel any pressure, not that I had nothing to lose, but because I trusted my game and focused on every shot,” Pavie added.
Kagombe finished joint third with Rose Azuba off 199. Katy Kabenge was runner up off 194.
At the prize-giving ceremony, Uganda Golf Union President Dr Jackson Were noted that senior golfers are key stakeholders of the sport.
“Senior golfers are a clear testament that golf is more than just a competition; it encourages healthy lifestyles, mental well-being, and social connections. Seeing these senior players perform at such a high level reminds us that age is no barrier to staying active, enjoying the game, and achieving excellence,” he added.
Christine Kyokunda, the Johnnie Walker Brand Manager, said that the Seniors Tournament is symbolic as it shows that older players have carried the game with passion and discipline over the years, setting the standard for future generations.
“They are the living embodiment of Johnnie Walker’s timeless mantra: Keep Walking. Today, they remind us that greatness is achieved by walking consistently, step by step, stroke by stroke,” she said. “For the next three weeks, we are committed to elevating the Open with experiences that match the spirit of the game.”
The 19th hole experience of the seniors event was headlined by DJ Alberto, who delighted the audience with his timeless sets of classics, oldies and some current hits. The event was hosted by media personality Samson Kasumba.
The focus of the Johnnie Walker Uganda Open Golf Championship now turns to the Ladies Open scheduled for 28 to 30 August at the same venue. This will be followed by the Amateur and Professional events.
The hosting club has promised to continue enhancing the overall experience for players and spectators, ensuring a memorable and enjoyable tournament for everyone. The 2025 Johnnie Walker Uganda Open Golf Championship is sponsored by Absa Bank Uganda, Aquafina, Isuzu Mac East Africa, Uganda Tourism Board, Medisell Uganda, NBS sports, and MTN MoMo.
