Okong, Semawere end British Junior Open curse

While in UK, Oscar Semawere (L) will have an opportunity to discuss golf development and enhance Uganda’s reputation. Upcoming Okong (R) has a chance to help Uganda break many barriers. Photo by Eddie Chicco

What you need to know:

Golf. Several immensely talented players including Vincent Byamukama, Daniel Baguma and Herman ‘Deco’ Mutebi have been denied UK entry visas.

KAMPALA. After missing out on the best individual junior golf showpiece at least six times, Uganda Golf Union (UGU) can finally let off a sigh of relief.
A two-man contingent of UGU Golf Development and Competitions representative Oscar Semawere and Mehta Golf Club Lugazi’s Edrine Okong have ended a six-year wait for Uganda to feature in The British Junior Open Championship, whose edition will be hosted at Barassie Golf Club in Kilmarnock from July 11-13.
The pair is scheduled to fly out to UK on July 9 and return on July 17 for the African Express Airways and R & A (Scotland) week-long facilitated lifetime experience.
Several immensely-gifted youngsters including Herman ‘Deco’ Mutebi, Daniel Baguma, Vincent ‘Araali’ Byamukama and Hassan Kiyemba have in the recent past not been granted UK Entry Visas.

“It is a huge relief,” exclaimed Semawere. “Our juniors haven’t had a chance to gauge their potential in this big event. We have made a name as a country that is grooming a large pool of talented youngsters and this is an opportunity for us to show the world what we can do.” The Junior Open is a subsidiary event for the prestigious 145th Open to be held at the Royal Troon Golf Club, South Ayrshire, southwest of Glasgow (July 14-17).
Okong was an easy pick to represent Uganda after his recent yielding form in the ‘Majors’. The 15-year-old finished second during the Uganda Junior Open after a round of 79 nett last year. He was also the Pearl of Africa’s best performer at the 18th All-Africa Junior Golf Championship at El Kantoui Golf Club in Sousse, Tunisia as Uganda finished seventh earlier this year.

Okong tallied up 337 gross after four rounds to finish 24th overall and then later won two points out of a possible three at his senior national team debut during the Victoria Cup – East Africa’s version of the Ryder Cup – last month with the 2up, and 1 to go victory over Kenyan ace Neer Chandaria in the singles matchplay round standing out.
While in UK, Semawere will have an opportunity to discuss golf development and enhance Ugan
da’s reputation with Duncan Weir, the Executive Director. “We are going to use the trip to break many barriers,” said the former Entebbe Golf Club captain.