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The tournament attracted players from Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Africa, Spain, the United States, Austria, Barbados, and Uganda, who gave a great performance and showed hope for their future in golf.
Young golfers showcased their talents and potential during the NCBA Uganda Junior Open, which took place at the Serana Golf Resort and Spa in Munyonyo.
Over 100 junior golfers aged 6-18, including boys and girls, competed in the two-day championship organized by US Golf Kids and supported by NCBA bank.
The tournament attracted players from Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Africa, Spain, the United States, Austria, Barbados, and Uganda, who gave a great performance and showed hope for their future in golf.
Among the most watched players was 18-year-old Reagan Akena of Mehta Club in Lugazi, who rose to the occasion with 154 points in two days of play to win the 15-18 years age category.
Akena improved his performance in the competition after he finished second last year.
“The Serena course has worked well for us because it is world-class,” Akena explained to the media during the prize giving ceremony.
“The competition was tough with the players from Kenya being the toughest. Now I am preparing for the next competition when the NCBA will invest in us,” the St. Mary’s Juliana SS, Lugazi student said.
In the other categories, Ashton O’Kola’s 70 points were enough to beat James Tino Macakiage (80) and Bongu Surya (85) in the boys’ age six category.
In the boys’ age seven bracket, Kenyan Ivan Kipyegon Kimutai won with 71 points. Uganda’s Dante Kawalya scored 96 to come second, ahead of Shah Shay Jinal (126).
The girls’ age category of eight and under was won by Aarna Mengi (80) ahead of Leticia Mwangale (87) and Irene Asiyo (87).
Reel Paren championed the boys’ age eight cluster with 79 points ahead of Jackson Alexander (88) and Ladak Mikhail (94). Ethan Kabenge won the boys under-9 category with 238 points.
NCBA Bank manager Mark Muyobo applauded the players' performance and expressed his belief that their potential would manifest in the future.
"One of our goals is to raise the standard of golf in the world so that players can raise their standards and know their challenges and fix them, which helps them in everyday life," said Muyobo.
Elsewhere, in the girls’ 9-10 years’ category, Ashley Gachora emerged the winner with a score of 86. Sang Pendo scored 107 over two days to claim second place ahead of Ali Krishnavi Kaifiya (129).
Jordan Van Rooyen scored 172 to win the boys’ 10 years’ cluster. Rooyen was a stroke better than Josh Kabukala (173) as Lukas Kampa settled for third place (179).
In the boys’ 11 years’ category, Oliver Leonardo from Spain won with a score of 160, ten strokes better than Kahir Ladak (170) and Shay Chauhan (173).
Marya Nyambura Nguitigu won the girls’ category in the 11-12 bracket, ahead of Pasha Nkini and Simaloi Mbeya. Aidan Gachora won the boy’s 12 years category with 176 points ahead of L. Nshekanabo (240).
Audrey Gachora championed the girls’ 13 to 14 years cluster with 166 points. Mercy Ssebaggala came second with 173 and Pauline Kagoro was third with 231.
In the boys’ 13-14 years age group, Pius Ochieng was the winner with 156 points, three strokes ahead of Sharma Kushagra (159) as Ivan Nalima settled for third place (198).
The winners in each category of the tournament are as follows:
Boys 6 and Under: Ashton O'Kola
Boys 7: Ivan Kipyegon Kimutai
Girls 8 & Under: Aarna Mengi
Boys 8: Reel Paren
Boys 9: Ethan Kabenge
Girls 9-10: Ashley Gachora
Boys 10: Jordan Van Rooyen
Boys 11: Oliver Leonardo
Girls 11-12: Marya Nyambura Nguitigu
Boys 12: Aidan Gachora
Girls 13-14: Audrey Gachora
Boys 13-14: Pius Ochieng
Boys 15-18: Reagan Akena
Girls 15-18: Vivian Achen
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