By Dorothy Nekesa.
Uganda professional golfer Deo Akope did it again the legendary way teeing off to victory last month during the 2021-2022 Safari Tour leg at the par 71- Nyali Golf and Country Club.
Akope garnered a total of 282 strokes over four rounds to lead the rest winning him Kenya Shs. 314,348 (Ug.Shs. 10,167,500.75) including a bonus fee of Sh104,348 (Ug.Shs. 3,375,107.74). The golf Ace scored 75, 68, 68 and 71 in the four rounds leading Dismas Indiza and Simon Ngigi as the duo tied in the second position with 284 strokes apiece.
“My luck here strikes at a professional stage, l have played here on this course as an amateur and later as a professional but l have not been this successful it’s so encouraging” Akope added.
In the final bend of the competition, the Ugandan legend had two crucial birdies on the last two holes 17 and 18, rising from an earlier slip on the 417 yards hole 16 where he had a double bogey. He goes to book as the first Ugandan to win a safari tour event. A happy Akope lauded the Safari Tour and Nyali Golf and Country Club for maintaining the course in good shape.
Erick Ooko (286), Mutahi Kibugu (286), David Wakhu (286), Tranos Muradzikwa (289), Robson Chinhoi (289), Aloys Nsabimana (291), Simon Njogu (292), Visitor Mapwanya (292) and another Ugandan, Ronald Rugumayo (292) all made the 10.
Sixty- five (65) professionals from host country Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Rwanda took part. The tour now takes a short break with the next event being the Uganda Open at the lake side par 71- Entebbe Golf Club, teeing off on 2nd December 2021.
Top 10 Leaderboard:
1 – Deo Akope 75, 68, 68, 71 – 282
T2 – Dismas Indiza 72, 70, 71, 71 – 284
Simon Ngigi 70, 71, 70, 73 – 284
T4 – Erick Ooko 70, 75, 72, 69 – 286
Mutahi Kibugu 71, 74, 69, 72 – 286
David Wakhu 73, 72, 68, 73 – 286
T7 – Tranos Muradzikwa 72, 73, 71, 73 – 289
T7 – Robson Chinhoi 72, 68, 75, 74 – 289
9 – Aloys Nsabimana 74, 71, 71, 75 – 291
T10 – Simon Njogu 74, 74, 72, 72 – 292
Ronald Rugumayo 71, 76, 73, 72 – 292
Visitor Mapwanya 74, 69, 73, 76 – 292 ■
