There is little doubt that the most recognizable personality in Ugandan golf is. From courting controversy to combining complements, Stephen 'Tiger Woods' Birungi is an epitome of the good and bad of Ugandan golf.
He's a man of two sporting disciplines and two golfing careers. "He never beat me but I just messed up my game" is always his catchphrase when he doesn't win.He's also the media's dream personality whose bold actions on the greens attract as many lovers as loathers. Yet he prefers to live an ordinary off the course.
A product of the famed Naguru estates, Birungi's rise from a caddie to a top amateur was the most extraordinary thing to happen to the game in the 90s. He ushered in a new generation of golfers that included Deo Akope and Charles Yokwe among others. At just 19, Birungi had mastered the 72-hole Kitante course to win his maiden Open in 1997.
Coincidentally American Tiger Woods burst onto the world stage in similar fashion by winning the Masters by a whopping 12 shots the same year. The similarities were quickly drawn as Birungi repeated the Open magic in '98 and '99. Before long he was baptized the Ugandan Tiger Woods and was credited for ending Sadi Onito's stranglehold on the Open.
But soon another side of him emerged; a scorecard scandal in 2000 had Birungi and others suspended for six months. At the time, he must have felt too big and too talented to abide by the rules.
Subsequently quitting the game in 2001, a defiant Birungi was keen to show what the golfing fraternity was missing and soon found solace in boxing. In no time he had qualified to play in the National Novice Championships.
But if there was a one thing that would shape the temperamental star, it could have been the hard punches inflicted on his stubborn head. Birungi soon realized he was no match for guys whose only joy was watching him sprawled on the floor.
He quit thereafter but took his time before returning to his roots in an emotional prodigal-son style in 2005.
He had lost a bit of the magic but not the will to win and although he was unable to recapture the Ugandan Open, Birungi was never out of the top ten, finishing runner-up to Amos Kamya in 2006. Until last week, he was the last single thread that joined the past and the new generation of golfers.It came as no surprise last week when he declared intentions to join the professional ranks. To many, Birungi was not doing justice to his skills by continuing to play in the amateur ranks with a +2 handicap.
Birungi not only passed the Playing Ability Test (PAT) with flying colours, but the former 3-time Uganda Open laid a solid marker averaging a respectable 74.
Hence it took him only a few hours as a pro to co-win the MTN Monthly Mugs at Uganda Golf Club last weekend. Typical Birungi.
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