Uganda Junior Golf Team cites key lessons from 2023 World Cup

The Uganda Junior Golf national team (boys) might not have performed as expected on the course after finishing 12^th at the Toyota Junior world cup, but, the team garnered the crucial experience of playing at such a global championship.

Uganda’s team has the likes of Joseph Reagan Akena, Juma Abiti, Ibrahim Ssemakula and Collins Matovu, coached by female golf professional Flavia Namakula.

Team captain Joseph Reagan Akena cited the good learning points from the tournament.

“To play at the world cup is every player’s dream. We achieved the dream. We witnessed great swings and picked important skills which we need to put in practice” Akena, a member at Mehta club in Lugazi stated.

Temper management:

Successful sports personalities across the different sports spheres are disciplined to the dot.

Seldom can a successful sportsman at the world stage easily lose concentration and focus because of external factors.

Such external factors entail distraction by fans, pride and temper.

“I learnt how to control my temper on the course at all times” Juma Abiti revealed.

The tournament lured the world’s finest junior golfers from all the continents.

The power of golf sport is amplified through the unquestionable ability to network.

The members on the Ugandan team used the opportunity to make new friends from across the world.

Abiti testifies having got new friends from Canada, Chile and South Africa.

Ssemakula was outstanding player for team Uganda with 310. Abiti (312), Akena (314) and Matovu (342) followed suit.

Overall, Japan won the boys and girls’ championships.

Japanese Kaito Sato (65, 70, 67 and 67) was the best overall individual performer for the boys with a total gross of 269 (-15).

For the girls, Yuna Araki, also of Japan was outstanding among the girls (66, 70, 66, 71) for a total of 273 gross (-15).

The tournament was supported by Japan Airlines.

Photo credits: Toyota Junior Golf World Cup website