Team Uganda managed to edge out 2013 champions Team Kenya to win the 16th East African Golf Challenge. The three day event which teed off on Friday 29th August saw Kenya win the DAY 1 ‘Singles” category with 6.5 points, Uganda took second place with 5.5 points, in third and fourth position were Tanzania and Rwanda who returned a total of 4 points each, while Burundi and Ethiopia returned a total of 2 points each to take fifth and sixth position.
After a bad start on day one, Team Uganda managed to fight back on day two to win the foursomes category with (3.5) , Rwanda (3), Kenya (2.5), Ethiopia ( 2), Tanzania (1), Burundi ( 2). Team Uganda had a better day on Day 3 Round 4 “singles” category as it returned a total of 6.5, Kenya (5.5), Rwanda (4.5), Tanzania (3), Burundi (2) and Ethiopia (2).
Speaking to entebbenews Team Uganda Coach Amos Kamya said that Golf is a very unpredictable game. “We managed to win day two and day three though we had a bad start on day one” he said. Team Uganda’s peter Ssendaula said that though they weren’t prepared to play in the rain, they were able to play as a team. He also urged Ugandans to embrace the game adding that Golf is not an expensive.
The two time Uganda Open champion (2009 and 2013) who hopes to turn a pro says Golf should be promoted in schools.
Kenya’s Agil Sihag (14 years) and Burundi’s Abdul Jabar were the youngest players in the tournament.
The three day event was sponsored by Uganda Breweries Limited under the Johnnie Walker Gold Label brand.
Day 1: Round One Scores:
Team Scores: Kenya (6.5), Uganda (5.5), Tanzania (4), Rwanda (4), Burundi (2)
Team Uganda Player by Player Scores:
Simwa (Kenya) – Peter Ssendaula (Uganda) – All square
Ronald Otile 5 – 4 Adam A (Tanzania)
Ronald Bukenya (Uganda) – 2up Vs Toyi (Burundi)
Beniam G. (Ethiopia) 5 – 4 Phillip Kasozi (Uganda)
Ronald Rugumayo 2 – 0 Joseph V (Tanzania)
John Karichu (Kenya) – 1 up Vs Robert Oluba (Uganda)
Yitabarek (Ethiopia) Vs Ronald Bukenya (Uganda) – 1 up
Day 2 : Round Two (Foursomes):
Team Scores: Uganda (3.5), Rwanda (3), Kenya (2.5), Ethiopia (2), Tanzania (1), Burundi (2)
Team Uganda Player by Player Scores:
Omuli/Karichu (Kenya) – Ronald Rugumayo / Ronald Otile (Uganda) – All Square
Phillip Kasozi / Robert Oluba (Uganda)6 – 5 Nkurunzziza/Joseph (Rwanda)
Joseph / Leonce (Tanzania) 4 – 3 Robert Happy / Peter Sendaula (Uganda)Round Three (Four Ball Better Ball):
Omuli / Karichu (Kenya) 2 – 1 Robert Oluba / Phillip Kasozi (Uganda)
Ronald Otile / Ronald Rugumayo (Uganda) 5 – 4 Barame / James (Rwanda)
Adam / Said J 5 – 4 Happy Robert (Uganda)
Day 3 : Round 4 (Singles):
Team Scores: Uganda (6.5), Kenya (5.5), Rwanda (4.5), Tanzania (3), Burundi (2) and Ethiopia (2)
Team Uganda Player by Player Scores:
Ronald Otile (Uganda) Vs Joseph (Tanzania)
Ronald Bukenya (Uganda) 7 – 6 Ndikumana (Rwanda)
Henry Lujjah (Uganda) 8 – 7 Hassan (Burundi)
Robert Oluba (Uganda) 3 – 2 Mollel (Tanzania)
Aberon (Ethiopia) 6 – 5 Robert Happy (Uganda)
Hagos (Ethiopia) Vs Phillip Kasozi (Uganda)– 2up
Overall Points:
Final Team Standings:
1 – Uganda (18.5 Points)
2 – Kenya (17.5 Points)
3 – Rwanda (13.5 Points)
4 – Tanzania (10 Points)
5 – Ethiopia (7 Points)
6 – Burundi (5 Points)
