Uganda, South Africa in joint lead at Zone VI

The disappointment on Team Uganda’s faces when they learnt that they wouldn’t shake President Yoweri Museveni’s hand at the opening ceremony was a sight hard to take and equally forgettable on Tuesday.

But when Prime Minister Hon Ruhakana Rugunda, soon after his speech, read out a special letter from the President addressed to the team captain Adolf Muhumuza urging the team to embrace the challenge before them and aim for glory, the team was all ears as they felt a sense of belonging.

And they responded in stellar fashion, as they muscled their way to six-and-a-half points, to finish joint top with South Africa on Day One of the Africa Zone VI Championship at the par-72 Uganda Golf Club (UGC) Kitante course yesterday.

Veteran Gideon Kagyenzi, the UGC Greens Keeper, was the only Ugandan that suffered defeat, going two-down at the 18th hole to Kenyan Justus Madoya. But the 49-year-old nicknamed Pastor wasn’t hurting thereafter. He watched on in delight as the rest of his teammates returned to the 19th hole with something worthy a cheer.

Muhumuza, who was drawn against South Africa’s Matthew Spacey, a nephew to legendary professional Ernie Els, brought most joy to the gallery at the 18th with a monster birdie putt to force a share of spoils.

“Our boss (golf president Kiryowa Kiwanuka) told us that President Museveni will see us on Tuesday next week whether we win or not,” disclosed the 22-year-old. “We also know that it will be nice if we see him with the trophy in our midst.

And we are committed to do that. Our attitude in the singles was good and we want to maintain. We must seek to break away from the pack tomorrow.” There were wins for Ronald ‘Rasta King’ Bukenya, Happy ‘Par 3’ Robert, Robert ‘Pablo Escobar’ Oluba and Lawrence Muhenda but the day wholly belonged to debutant Martin Ochaya.

The 26-year-old made light work of his Malawian rival Kondwani Mphulla obliterating him five-up with four holes to go. Ochaya later won the day’s crowning event after carrying over 380 yards to win the HTC-sponsored Longest Drive competition. He retired back to his room in Sheraton with an HTC Desire 816 smartphone worth Shs1.2m.

Coach Amos Kamya has promised a brand of attacking golf in today’s foursomes that will be played over two rounds.

“Our main area of focus in practice was on the pairings during the past six weeks and now I want the guys to attack and deliver,” he said.
South African captain Teaghan Gauche and Kenya’s Nelson Simwa vowed to dominate the final three rounds. “The true will come out in the pairings. That was a bad in office,” said Simwa after losing.

TODAY’S LIKELY PAIRINGS:
Foursomes: Otile/Muhumuza, Happy/Ochaya, Kagyenzi/Bukenya & Muhenda/Oluba
Four-ball: Otile/Muhumuza, Kagyenzi/Happy, Oluba/Muhenda & Ochaya/Lujja

DAY 1 LEADERBOARD

Uganda 6.5 points
South Africa 6.5
Kenya 5.5
Zimbabwe 5.5
Zambia 3.5
Botswana 3.0
Namibia 2.0
Swaziland 2.0
Malawi 1.5

Today’s schedule
7am: Foursomes
11am: Lunch at UGC
12pm: Four-ball better-ball
1.30pm: Zone VI Council Meeting
7pm: Dinner at Sheraton Hotel