Focus on Victoria Cup after Region IV triumph
Team Uganda captain Cwinyaai (2nd R) and officials with their diadem.
COURTESY PHOTO
KAMPALA. Team Uganda captain Joseph Cwinyaai insists the recent successful title defence at the Africa Region IV Golf Championship will taste sweeter if they add Victoria Cup gong to it.
Cwinyaai hoisted the Region IV trophy after Uganda had beaten nemesis Kenya by 1.5 points after three days’ action on the par-71 course at Bujumbura Golf Club in Burundi. “It wasn’t easy,” said the single handicapper who also won this title in 2016 and 2018.
He however won’t rest until they capture the Victoria Cup, preferred to as East Africa Ryder Cup, when they host Kenya at Uganda Golf Club (UGC) from June 27-29.
In Bujumbura, Uganda retained the title which they won at Nyali Golf & Country Club in Mombasa, Kenya last year by coming from a half-a-point down to defeat then leaders Kenya in the foursomes and four-ball better-ball on Saturday.
“I thank my fellow players who put in a well spirited fight,” stated Cwinyaai. He led by example by squaring with Kenya’s number one Samuel Njoroge for a half-a-point.
“Njoroge is good but I made sure that my mistakes were few on the course. And I had patience.”
Then, debutant Godfrey Nsubuga continued to shine when he floored Simon Njugu 1-up. “Nsubuga is on fire. His game was at its peak after we offered him encouragement,” Cwinyaai said of the scratch player from Mehta Lugazi Club.
In the foursomes, Daniel Baguma and Gaita Rodell’s chemistry saw them edge Mutahi Kibugu & Zubair Khan 1-up. “We had trust in this pairing because they had been perfect right from the practice sessions. We had been in Bujumbura early enough and days we had spent there made us feel like we were at home,” added Cwinyaai. By virtue of being hosts next year, Uganda Golf Union (UGU) president Innocent Kihika was announced as the new chairman of Africa Region IV.
AFRICA IV GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS
FINALS RESULTS (MATCH-PLAY)
*Joseph Cwinyaai (UGA) vs. Samuel
Njoroge (KEN) A/S
*Godfrey Nsubuga (UGA) bt Simon
Njugu (KEN) 1-up
*Daniel Baguma & Rodell Gaita (UGA)
bt. Mutahi Kibugu & Zubair Khan (KEN) 1-up
HOW THEY FINISHED
1. Uganda 2. Kenya
3. Tanzania 4. Burundi I
5. Ethiopia 6. Burundi II
