Kenya’s Balala takes a shot advantage on opening day in Entebbe | 2024 Johnnie Walker Uganda Amateurs Golf Open
2024 Johnnie Walker Uganda Amateurs’ Golf Open (After 18 Holes) The famous day one leader at the prestigious 2024 Johnnie Walker Uganda Amateurs’ Golf Open is Kenya’s Adel Balala. Balala struck two-under 69 during the first 18 holes of the 72 holes’ action on Wednesday, 28th August 2024 at the lake-side Entebbe club. The Nyali […] The post Kenya’s Balala takes a shot advantage on opening day in Entebbe | 2024 Johnnie Walker Uganda Amateurs Golf Open appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
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2024 Johnnie Walker Uganda Amateurs’ Golf Open (After 18 Holes)
- Day 1 Leader: Adel Balala (Kenya) – 69
- 1st Runners up: Abdul N. Kakeeto (Uganda) – 70
- 2nd Runners up: Joseph Cwinya-ai (Uganda) – 72
The famous day one leader at the prestigious 2024 Johnnie Walker Uganda Amateurs’ Golf Open is Kenya’s Adel Balala.
Balala struck two-under 69 during the first 18 holes of the 72 holes’ action on Wednesday, 28th August 2024 at the lake-side Entebbe club.
The Nyali Golf club member recorded a total of 4 birdies, 12 pars and 2 bogies.
“It was a perfect round” he sighed as refreshed at the club-house of the 1901 founded facility.
“I should have done better but this is golf. I want to better the scores for the next three days” he added.
Balala opened the day with three consecutive par-scores on the first holes before he birdied the par-4 hole no.4.
He then bogied par-4 hole 5 with four par scores to complete the front.
Upon crossing he played level on 10, 11 and 12 with a birdie on par 4 no.13.
He then got another par on 14 and two successive birdies on 15 and 16 before bogging the 17th and completed the round with an even score on the par-5 hole no.18.
He takes a single shot lead coming to the second day of action on Thursday, 29th August 2024.
Fort Portal based Abdul N. Kakeeto, a member of the Uganda national team returned 1-under to take second position.
Joseph Cwinya-ai, the Uganda team captain was 1-over for third place.
The trio of Joseph Reagan Akena, Titus Okwong and Samuel Bazaale all played 2-over 73 to share the joint fourth position.
The top ten positions were all occupied by Ugandans; with level scores of 3-over; Musa Kirya, Michael Tumusiime, Brian Mugabe and Abdallah Kakooza.
Defending champion Godfrey Nsubuga struggled through the woods with a disappointing +11 score to tie joint 39th after round one, alongside Sande Lulet, Lino Anguzu, Ashvin Kananathan, Peter Tumusiime and Elton Tembo.
The open which has been played since 1932 has attracted players from Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, South Sudan and Rwanda.
H. Davidson won the inaugural edition. The open only missed out on two different occasions; between 1940-1947 (World War) and 1979-1980 (Political insurgency in Uganda).
Legend Sadi Onito (Rest in Peace), from Jinja Golf Club, has the record number of titles won (12) in 1976, 1977, 1978, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1994, 1995 and 1996.
Johnnie Walker is the headline sponsor of this year’s Open.
The post Kenya’s Balala takes a shot advantage on opening day in Entebbe | 2024 Johnnie Walker Uganda Amateurs Golf Open appeared first on Kawowo Sports.