Enterprising combo of Ronald Osekeny (L) and Casper Okiru (R) missed the main draw but were still lively in the subsidiary class and on the denim night. Photo | Eddie Chicco.
When Entebbe Golf Club (EGC) hosts a tournament, the organisers work too hard to keep the competitors around for long after their rounds on the course.
It is a hidden rule amongst different golf clubs in the country to spice up their event prize giving ceremonies. The bigger the sponsorship and competing field, the better those ceremonies are.
So at the annual Singleton Match-play Challenge, the dress codes at the prize giving ceremonies are themed, at least since inception in 2017.
On Saturday, the Challenge’s Season VII first round was christened by denim wear which the audience at the EGC clubhouse gardens honourably adhered to.
During the ’19th Hole’ evening on Saturday, several individuals, particularly ladies, paid homage to the dress code, and in style after playing in some tightly-contested rounds on the par-71 course.
It was EGC leadership like captain Serwano Walusimbi, emcee Marvin Kagoro and title sponsor Uganda Breweries’ Brand Manager Scotch and Reserve Christine Kyokunda that took up the lead role in dressing.
Denim, largely in blue of all forms, rocked the ceremony which had golfers like Hannington Mpiima, Elly ‘Sober’ Mukasa, Suubi Kiwanuka and Andrew Kibaya mimic songs from Juliana Kanyomozi and Afrigo Band to the delight of the revelers.
Denim has graced the world’s fashion stage since the mid-19th century in the USA. During the tournament’s qualifying round three weeks prior, the dress code was all-white.
On the course though, a field of 64 pairings had been sized down to 32 after a knockout contest in the match-play format.
The pairing of Moses Ssebugwawo and Charles Odere were some of the biggest winners and their 4/3 (4-up with three holes to spare) win over Daniel Muwooya and Mathias Zungu was celebrated loudly.
However, another batch of about 60 players, who had missed entering the Challenge main draw, like the enterprising combo of Casper Tevin Okiru and Ronald Osekeny, still competed until dusk in the subsidiary category.
Martha Babirye, Alexander Matsiko and Samuel Sejjaka were some of the day’s biggest winners in that class.
The golfers danced to varying tunes from Jose Chameleon, Sheebah, Ykee Benda, Bentiboys Africa, Radio & Weasel as merrymaking went on long into the night.
SEASON VII SINGLETON CHALLENGE
ROUND ONE SUBSIDIARY RESULTS
Seniors Winner (55+): Samuel Sejjaka 34 points
GROUP WINNERS MEN
A: Charles Mubiru 39 points
B: Alexander Matsiko 42 pts
C: Samson Akankiza 41 pts
D: Isaac Rwakira 41 pts
LADIES
A: Martha Babirye 36 pts
B: Edith Wamalwa 40 pts
LONGEST DRIVE
M: Lawrence Walakira
L: Rukia Nalwoga
NEAREST TO THE PIN
M: Dean Kateeba
L: Martha Babirye