16th East African Golf Challenge:
Winners: Uganda (Trophy and Gold Medals)
1st Runners up: Kenya (Silver Medals)
2nd Runners up: Rwanda (Bronze Medals)
Uganda claimed the 2014 East African golf challenge – their 4th overall compared to Kenya’s 12 and Tanzania’s one.
After a dismissal opening, the home team rallied back to make amends winning the round two of foursomes, drawing the third round (4 ball better ball), before toppling all the other nations at the final round of the singles to dethrone defending champions, Kenya.
Kawowo Sports’ David Isabirye reflects back at Uganda’s strong points that helped them claim the annual tourney which is played by 6 nations, Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Rwanda.
Self Belief mentality:
For any championship winning team, the will power to play and succeed is the chief driving factor. Every team member had the belief and confidence of returning his best scores given any condition.
“We are ready to win the title at home”, team captain, Phillip Kasozi revealed to Kawowo Sports in an interview.
When team skipper, Phillip Kasozi, and 2 ‘home boys’ Peter Ssendaula and Robert Oluba faltered on the opening day, the team regained composure to gallantly fight back and take half a point lead in the foursomes over Rwanda.
In the four ball better ball category, Uganda drew level 3 all with all to book a nail biting finish coming into the final day.
Home Advantage:
Many will debate whether the Entebbe course played any favours to team Uganda especially when Ssendaula and Oluba were beaten on day one.
The answer is in bold – Yes. The unpredictable rains made the course to be holding – making it even more tricky for many players.
Oluba’s local knowledge of the course played to Uganda’s advantage in that decider against the tournament’s Most Valuable player – Mollel of Tanzania.
In a two man horse race, Oluba and Mollel battled with close scores from the opening hole until two of the most troublesome fairways on the Entebbe course – ‘The Road’ and ‘The Deo Akope Challenge’ on 16 and 17 holes respectively.
Early Preparations:
For the last month, the team was in a residential camp in Entebbe. Residing in the state of the art 8 – 2 – 8 suites, the team did not merely enjoy the comfort zones of the hotel, but worked and toiled their way to success.
From the rigorous physical drills, carrying their kits across the course, playing close to 200 balls off the practice range, team Uganda was prepared for the challenge ahead, and indeed passed the test with flying colours.
Amos Kamya premonition:
The last time team Uganda won the East Africa Golf Challenge dates as far back as 2009. Amos Kamya was the head coach of the team and ironically, the tourney was played in Entebbe.
Ever since Kamya attended a golfing academy in South Africa way back in 2005, he has never been the same golfer again.
Winning the Uganda open in 2006 added to his glittering amateur career before he turned professional.
Kamya has always been executing his work in a professional way. Excellent time keeper, easily minces with all team members and knows what to be done how and where.
Kamya’s technical expertise especially at the pairings on day two won Uganda the trophy once again – the fourth overall compared to Kenya’s unprecedented 12.
How Uganda Scored in all rounds:
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)