Isaac Mariera and Lillian Koowe began the week in top jovial moods after they were crowned as the best players from a sizable field which competed in the fourth and final leg of the Katogo Golf Series presented by I and M Bank at Entebbe Club.
Mariera was in a league of his own after he mastered the tournament format ‘In Regulation’ to finish with a best score of 68 nett off handicap 10 at the par-71 course.
‘This win feels very exciting, but also a bit overwhelming, because I know I now have to maintain a certain level of play every time I step on the course,’ said Mariera.
For Koowe, ecstasy gripped her after returning 75 nett off handicap 11, thereby winning an air ticket from RwandAir to a destination of her choice, just like Mariera.
‘Oh my God, this ticket is nice. I feel so nice, I feel I have to put more effort in my game,’ she said.
‘The In Regulation format was quite interesting. My approach was to target the green consistently and keep my short game solid,’ Koowe said.
The format considered individual scores where one had to hit the green in a specified number of strokes: one stroke for a par-3, two shots for a par-4, and three on for a par-5.
In case a green was missed in regulation, then a stroke penalty would be added to the player’s score but the penalty would be waived if one finished the hole with a par either by chipping in or putting smartly.
Koowe hit 13 greens in regulations and missed the greens of par-3 Holes No.2 and No.6, par-4 Holes No.3, No.4 and No.14. She saved to make a par on the fourth green though.
However, on the other par-3 Holes No.8, No.10 and No.16 and the par-4 No.17, Koowe hit the greens in regulation but struggled with the putting.
‘The game we played was so interesting, so disturbing. First, I did not know about it (format) but what they explained, that is what I tried to follow,’ she added.
Katogo Golf began as a group which would share a ‘katogo’ meal after a round of golf in Entebbe back in 2008 and on Saturday, their patrons Kiryowa ‘K.K’ Kiwanuka and Edward Kabuuchu were rewarded.
‘Since you came, the Series has become something special, something we sometimes can’t even fully recognize,’ remarked Kiwanuka. ‘On a personal note, expenditures have reduced, and it has become a true friendship. I and M Bank has even helped make it an East African affair.’
And the honour took Kabuchu by surprise. ‘I didn’t know it would turn out this way. We are who we are today because of our sponsors, I and M and their co-sponsors,’ he said.
The blue-themed after ‘par-tee’ on the day was electrified by the performance from Elijah Kitaka and comedian emcee Patrick Idringi.
I and M BANK KATOGO GOLF SERIES 2025
IN REGULATION TOURNAMENT RESULTS
Overall Lady Winner: Lillian Koowe 75 nett
Overall Male Winner: Isaac Mariera 68 nett
Gross Winner: Michael Tumusiime 74
MEN’S GROUP WINNERS
GROUP A
Winner: Paul Nuwagaba 77 nett (c/b)
Runner-Up: Paul Nyaduma 77 nett (c/b)
GROUP B
Winner: Kevin Ninyesiga 79 nett (c/b)
Runner-Up: Elly Mukasa 79 nett
GROUP C
Winner: Timothy Musiime 77 nett
Runner-Up: Milton Ocen 79 nett
LADIES’ GROUP WINNERS
GROUP A
Winner: Rita Apell 76 nett
Runner-Up: Martha Babirye 77 nett
GROUP B
Winner: Edith Wamalwa 83 nett
Runner-Up: Christine Mutegi 85 nett (c/b)
LONGEST DRIVE
M: Twinemanzi Tumubweine
L: Martha Babirye
NEAREST TO THE PIN
M: Picole Lukyamuzi
L: Harsshitha Loganathan