Financial stability key for rookie pro Mwanja

Fine talent: Mwanja is one of the country’s outstanding players. Photo by Eddie Chicco

What you need to know:

Nearly a year ago, Becca Mwanja was a pillar on the national amateur golf team. But he quickly changed priorities to become a professional early this year. Darren Allan Kyeyune profiles the calm yet outspoken player in This Week’s Golfer.

When did you start playing golf?
August, 2014.

Who introduced you to golf?
Mr Anthony Agaba did that. This was when he was still the captain at Jinja Golf Club.

You quickly became a scratch player. How did it happen?
This happened immediately I joined Uganda Golf Club in 2014 when I was a student at MTAC Business School in Nakawa with the support of Mr Okolo Ochola through professional Herman Tutawe and Peter Sunday. Then later, I became a good friend to coach Amos Kamya and Denis Anguyo who inspired and supported me to-date.

What’s your strength on course?
My short game is fantastic. I am as well strong with chipping and putting.

Which is the toughest hole you’ve played in Uganda? Entebbe’s Hole No.2 is a problem. It just mentally disturbs me but I find ways of dealing with it.

What life lessons have you learnt from golf?

First, being myself. Then the game instils discipline in and outside the golf course.

Is there anything special you do before playing a competitive round of golf?
I do pray to God before anything.

You were national team captain just a year ago. What prompted you to leave the national team and turn pro?
I turned pro because I had played all the levels in golf except professional golf. I gained experience that enables me play at this stage. I am now 27 and I think I am ready and it’s the right time for pro golf.

How far do you want to go?
I want to hit the peak that is; play on the European Tour. I am working hard in the following ways.
I want first break through in my local event in the country, push into East Africa and finally the entire world but this needs my commitment and sponsorship which I don’t have as of now.

What does a Ugandan professional golfer need to perform?
The most important thing is mental strength. One must as well be physically fit and this requires work outs on almost a daily basis such as the gym and range. It also requires one to play different courses for exposure but all these need financial stability.

Mwanja profile
Date of birth: August 28, 1992
Club: Uganda Golf Club
Started Golf: August, 2014
Turned Pro: January, 2019
Best score: 65 gross at Palm Valley Golf
Club, Kakungulu
Favourite golf club: Muthaiga Golf Club in
Nairobi, Kenya
Favourite ball: Titleist
Favourite golfer: Rory McIlroy
Apparel: Titleist
Major Honours: Africa Zone V Golf
Championships (2018), East Africa Golf
Challenge (2016), Pepsi Independence Open
(2017 & 2018), UGC Captain’s Prize (2015),
UGC Lady Captain’s Prize (2016)