Saidi Kirarira knows what to do when to get a good result in golf. On sensing his scores were slackening, he opted to hit more balls at the range.
The practice seemed to put him back on track quickly. Weeks after charging after polishing his grip, swing and putting, Kirarira returned to the podium last week.
Playing off handicap nine, he returned an unmatched round of 64 nett to become the overall winner of the November Monthly Mug presented by MTN at Entebbe Club.
‘I planned my game and did early preparation including a few range sessions and games,’ the legal expert said. ‘Before we headed to Kigali, Rwanda for the I and M Katogo tournament some days ago, my game was getting rusty,’ he admitted.
Kirarira had taken a while out of action but a return to the basics of the game began to pay off at Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Kigo before the round in Entebbe.
‘Playing 39 at the front and 41 at the back because this was a social match, I knew that I could do better. I worked on my driving and short game to include chipping and putting. The maximum times I was putting were two.’
He produced 14 pars and a sweet birdie on the long par-5 Hole No15 and the four bogeys on the par-3 Holes No.2, No.8 and No.10 didn’t stop him.
Kirarira, who joined the game of golf in 2021 thanks to Jamil Maningi, was safe home to a second overall win in a space of 14 months.
MTN ENTEBBE MONTHLY TEE
NOVEMBER LEG RESULTS
Overall Winner: Kirarira Saidi 64 nett
Guest Winner: Nelson Mutai 61 nett
Seniors’ Winner (55+): Richard Mucunguzi 70 nett
LADIES’ RESULTS
GROUP A
Winner: Rukia Nalwoga 70 nett
Runner-Up: Maxi Byenkya 74 nett
GROUP B
Winner: Peace Hellen 71 nett (c/b)
Runner-Up: Barbra Kiwanuka 71 nett
MENS’ RESULTS
GROUP A
Winner: Dickson Agaba 70 nett
Runner-Up: Paul Habyarimana 71 nett
GROUP B
Winner: Ronald Osekeny 68 nett
Runner-Up: Collins Nuwagira 70 nett (c/b)
GROUP C
Winner: Musa Baguma 67 nett
Runner-Up: David B. Kateregga 69 nett (c/b)