Kamulindwa, Cwinyaai top Stanbic Entebbe Golf Open Championship

David Kamulindwa shot an overall 7-under 277 in 72 holes to win the third edition of the Stanbic Entebbe Golf Open Championship for the professionals at Entebbe Club on Wednesday.

The Toro Club-bred golfer, now based in Entebbe, notched 19 birdies, 10 pars, one double bogey, with the rest pars over the four rounds, to claim his second win of the season that came with a sh6.7m pay, out of the sh50m shared out by the top 20 pros.

The number seven has been a recurring theme for Kamulindwa, who led the week’s event from the start to the finish. Two months ago, he won the Watoto Golf fundraiser tournament at Kitante with a 7-under score, just like in his latest victory. Last month, he also finished joint-seventh in the Johnnie Walker Uganda Open in Lugazi.

Kamulindwa's win in Entebbe marks his fifth professional victory since turning pro in 2018. It is his second win in Entebbe, adding to earlier successes, the Akope Challenge and tournaments in Mbale and Jinja. He beat Abraham Ainamani who came second with an overall 1-under 283, by six strokes. Ainamani took home sh4.5m.

“It feels good to win at home, and I’m excited with my scores this week,” Kamulindwa said.

Kamulindwa nearly lost his big lead in the third round, dropping six strokes from his nine-stroke advantage. However, he bounced back in the final round to secure his second win of the season.

“I wasn’t feeling well in the third round, my body wasn’t responding, and I couldn’t swing well, so I struggled the whole round, but I accepted my fate and just played to finish. So, when I finished the round, I went back to the drawing board and re-strategised on how to win it.”

“But I was well-prepared for the event, jogging every day, working out with my fellow players and my US-based mental coach Bob Winter, so everything was in line for me to play well in this tournament. And we spoke after the third round, and he comforted me and gave me valuable advice.

“I played well in the Uganda Open, but didn’t putt as I would have wanted, so I turned the focus to this tournament at home. I am proud of the way I’m playing this year. My worst position has been seventh place during the Uganda Open, but in all the other events I have been making the top four, so I’m happy with my performance this year,” Kamulindwa stated.

Grace Kasango held second place through the first three rounds with scores of 70, 70, and 71. However, he shot a 74 in the final round and ended up tied for third with Herman Mutebi and defending champion Rodell Gaita. All three finished with a total score of 1-over 285, pocketing sh3.3m each.

In the amateur competition, Uganda Open champion and national team captain Joseph Cwinyaai finished with a 3-under 210 over 54 holes, earning his first win in Entebbe since he lost last year’s Uganda Open to Regan Akena.

Cwinyaai was four strokes behind John Musiimenta after the first round, starting with a 72. He gained ground in the second round and took a one-stroke lead into the final day. Cwinyaai sealed the win with another 69, while Musiimenta finished with a 6-over 77 for a total of 219, nine shots back.

Cwinyaai pocketed sh3m, the lion’s share of sh15m prize money. Musiimenta took home sh1.95m while Michael Tumusiime, who finished third, banked sh1.65m. Last year’s winner, Titus Okwong, finished tenth.

"After the Uganda Open, I went back to the drawing board to fix what didn't work out well because as a player I now want to play each event under par and I have managed it here," Cwinyaai noted.

"Thanks to my management team, I'm quite happy that I have won this event here because since last year things haven't been going my way in Entebbe. I lost to Akena here and failed to make the cut in the POA event, so this is a big improvement for me, and it gives me the morale to tackle upcoming events with confidence," Cwinyaai stated.

Top ten and ties

David Kamulindwa 66 65 77 69 277

Abraham Ainamani 74 66 76 67 283

Herman Mutebi 73 74 68 70 285

Grace Kasango 70 70 71 74 285

Rodell Gaita 75 70 69 71 285

Canary Kabise 78 67 69 74 288

Emma Ogwang 73 72 73 73 291

Marvin Kibirige 70 72 73 75 290

James Koto 72 75 72 74 293

Vincent Byamukama 69 76 77 71 293

Phillip Kasozi 76 72 71 74 293

Silver Opio 75 68 76 74 293

Amateurs’ results

Joseph Cwinyaai 72 69 69 210

John Musiimenta 68 74 77 219

Michael Tumusiime 73 75 73 221

Abdallah Kakooza 76 74 71 221

Peter Mayende 71 78 74 223

Joseph Kasozi 74 70 79 223

Ibrahim Bagalana 77 77 69 223

Charles Mulyanga 74 73 76 223

Derrick Musana 72 78 73 223

Pius Ochieng 77 74 73 224

Titus Okwong 76 77 71 224