Handicap twogolfer, Joseph Cwinya-ai of Tooro Club, is thenew Uganda Amateur Open Champion after he dethroned Kenya’s John Lejirma during the 2021 Tusker Malt Uganda Golf Open Championship played at par-71 Entebbe Golf Club at the close of November.

Coming from behind, Cwinya-ai put up a spirited fight to over a huge field of fine players in the final round. In the fourth and last round, he shot three-under-par 68, returning an overall score of three-over-par 287 to upstage defending champion Lejirma who was atop the leaderboard after third round.

In the years 2019 and 2020, the coveted title went to Daniel Nduva and John Lejirma, both of Kenya, respectively after the former taking it from Uganda’s sensational, Ronald Otile.

Cwinya-ai, fresh from winning Rwenzori Golf Open, pushed himself in the daunting four-people pressure group after finishing outside the podium in the first three rounds.

“My strategy was to come from behind because I am good at chasing. I didn’t want to put myself under pressure. If at all I was to lead from Day One, I wound have collapsed. So, I planned to come from behind the way Tiger Woods does and it worked,” said Cwinyai, also the captain of the National Golf Team.

In the opening round, Cwinya-ai tied for 11th position with six others after returning four-over-par 75. He was five strokes off from round one leader, Reagan Joseph Akena.In round two, Cwinya-ai moved to ninth, tied with 3 others,after scoring six-over-par 148; reducing the gap to four strokes from the summit.

My strategy was to come from behind because I am good at chasing. I planned to come from behind the way Tiger Woods does and it worked.

The third round, he finished fourth with six-over-par 219 and four strokes from the summit – earning a place in pressure group in the final round. Lejirma had stormed the summit in the third round, followed by Zambia’s ChandaBwembya and Uganda’s Marvin Kibirigewas in third place. The foursome found themselves in the pressure group in the last and determining round.

Cwinya-ai was on top of his game, shooting three-under-par 68, just enough to give him victory with an overall total of three-over-par 287.

Lejirma’s game was didn’t go well – shooting four-over-par 75 to finish second with an overall score of six-over-par 290, three strokes behind Cwinya-ai.Uganda’s Tom Jingo capped the podium with seven-over-par 291 hence tying with Zambia’s ChandaBwembya.

Marvin Kibirigeshot 292, BulhanMatovu293, James Koto 294, Denis Asaba295, Ibrahim Aliga296 and Elton Thembo 298finishing in the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth positions respectively.

If there is anything that could have added to Cwinya-ai’s good play, it should be his wonder golf kit. The Callaway branded kit bag has Callaway Irons, Callaway Driver, Tilest Wedges 52, 56, 60, 3-Wood Epic Flash, White Hot Putter and a Callaway Bag – thanks to his UK-based sponsor, Isaac Aisu. You just can’t play good golf with bad drivers and putters.

During his earlyTop of Formschool days at Buhinga Primary School, Cwinya-ai was an avid footballer as well as a caddie at the nearby Tooro Golf Club. It was during his secondary studies at Fort Portal Secondary School that his sports love switched completely to golf, drawing inspiration Stephen Kasaija, a golf professional and then upcoming golfers like Lawrence Muhenda and Titus Okwong. He wanted to connect with people in his class of aspiration and he has never looked back.

“I grew up watching Stephen Kasaija play golf. He was very smart and played good golf. He also used to encourage us to play the game. Later, I fell in love with the game approach of Titus Okwong, now based in the United States, and Lawrence Muhenda, now a professional golfer,” Cwinya-ai reveals 27-year-old golf champion.

Cwinya-ai is the first born to KeuberPalyel Samson and Acheng Nancy in Pakwach, West Nile District. He comes from a family of six, four girls – Pacoryema Irene, MwacanMoureen, Lyaleng Rhoda and Kwiocwiny Vivian and two boys – himself and RwothomioEmmans. He was raised up in Bukwali village, Fort Fortal, Western Uganda where his father, now departed, was working as a Police Officer.

His next move is to join professional golf and play for money. Uganda Professional Golfers Association (UPGA) gives a Uganda Amateur Golf Champion a green pass to join paid ranks. However, Cwinya-ai is quick to disclose that he is on contract with Uganda Golf Union as Captain National Golf Team; and therefore would need their release. I am ready to join paid ranks.

Before the lockdown of schools resulting from Covid-19 pandemic, Cwinya-ai has been a Plumbing student of Kichwamba Technical School in Fort Portal. He hopes to resume his studies once government opens up institutions of learning early next year.

Tusker Malt Lager was the signature sponsor with Absa Bank Uganda, Abubaker Technical Services & General Supplies, Britam Uganda, Case Medical Services, Egis Road Operation Uganda, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, National Council Of Sports, NTV Uganda, Pepsi, Pinnacle Security Limited and Uganda Tourism Board as partners.

Final Leaderboard – Top 10 (All Ugandan unless mentioned).

No.    Name                                       Total Points
1.       Joseph Cwinya-ai                               287
2.       John Lejirma          (Kenya)                 290
T3.     Tom Jingo                                          291
          ChandaBwembya (Zambia)
5.       Marvin Kibirige                                   292
6.       BulhanMatovu                                    293
7.       James Koto                                        294
8.       Denis Asaba                                       295
9.       Ibrahim Aliga                                      296
10.     Elton Thembo                                     298

Past Winners Since 2010
2021: Joseph Cwinya-ai (Tooro Golf Club)
2020: John Lejirma (Kenya Railway Golf Club)
2019: Daniel Nduva (Nyali Golf & Country Club)
2018: Ronald Otile (Tooro Golf Club)
2017: Ronald Rugumayo (Tooro Golf Club)
2016: Ronald Otile (Tooro Golf Club)
2015: Ronald Otile (Tooro Golf Club)
2014: Willy Deus Kitata (Entebbe Golf Club)
2013: Peter Ssendawula (Entebbe Golf Club)
2012: Philip Kasozi (Uganda Golf Club)

2011: Rogers Byaruhanga (Uganda Golf Club)

2010: Brian Mwesigwa (Kasese Golf Club)