GOLF: Uganda still glued in 5th place

By Michael Nsubuga

Third Round team scores (best three scores)

South Africa   220+223+214 657

Zimbabwe      232+222 +224 678

Zambia           222+238+226 686

Reunion          231+233+232 696

Uganda          231+236+236 703

Kenya             238+238+239 715

Tunisia           233+245+240 718

Namibia         255+237+244 736

Botswana       246+261+240 747

Mauritius        271+254+254 779

Malawi           280+288+289 857 

Individual Scores (Uganda)

Denis Otim                  79+78+80 237

Daniel Baguma            75+83+80 238

Andrew Byaruhanga    77+79+85 241

Ronald Otile                 87+79+76 242 

RONALD Otile continued to improve his scores but Uganda’s team continued to struggle in keeping up with the leaders, after day three action of the All-Africa Junior Golf Challenge at the Chainama Hills Golf Club in Zambia.

Otile was Uganda’s best player on day three returning 76 but an 80 gross each from Denis Otim and Daniel Baguma ensured Uganda remained glued in 5th place in the overall standings.

Otile played 87 on day one, followed it with 79 and the 76 on day three shows his performance in the last round will be very crucial for Uganda’s final team placing. Uganda finished 4th last year in Mauritius.

Andrew Byaruhanga’s 85 on day three did not count as South Africa opened up a 21 stroke lead on second placed Zimbabwe going into the last round of the four-day championship.

Uganda is 41 strokes off the leaders and is unlikely to finish in second place-which carries a prize of competing at the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup in Japan in June.

The fight for second place prize will be instead be fought out between Zimbabwe, Zambia and Reunion who all have a chance.

Defending champions South Africa combined for a two-under-par 214 and top the standings at nine-over-par 657.

Hennie du Plessis and Kyle McClatchie returned 71 each with and Altin van der Merwe posting 72 to keep their 16th title hunt alive.