Kasaija bounces back to national golf team

Former national and professional golfer Stephen Kasaija is back on the national team after making the cut following a 36-hole qualifier at Kitante.

Kasaija returns to the team eight years after he last featured for the side that won the East African Golf Challenge in Rwanda in 2009.

That was after a small two-year professional stint between 2005 and 2007 that he also later abandoned because of other work commitments. He sat out the 2008 calendar as per the rules before bouncing back as an amateur.

But for the next five years he was inconsistent on the course until up to about two years ago when he returned and competed in the Uganda Open.

Kasaija made the team after tying joint second with team captain Becca Mwanja and Ronald Rugumayo who retuned 154 gross after the two rounds.

"I'm back and ready to put heads together with the team I have found in place. I'm experienced than many of them but we have to work together in order to deliver. I feel I now have my game back and I'm ready to help the team," Kasaija said.

Team captain Becca Mwanja welcomed the ‘new' member on the team saying his return was timely.

"He looks new to most of us but he has of late improved his game a lot, and being a veteran he is going to motivate us and we shall also learn many things from him, as he has been on the team before for more time than any of us. He is a key person on the team and we welcome him," Mwanja noted.

Richard Baguma and Adolf Muhumuza topped the one-day, 36-hole qualifier with a total gross of 151 each while youngsters David Kamulindwa, Herman Mutebi and Emma Ogwang completed the eight-man team with a gross of 155 each.

Coach Amos Kamya can also boost the side with the South African duel of Ronald Otile and Daniel Baguma ahead of the East African Golf Challenge due at the Gymkhana Club, August 22-26.

The team continues their build up with fitness, range and training programs ahead of defending the title they have won for the last three years. 

How they finished the qualifier

Baguma Richard 151

Muhumuza Adolf 151

Mwanja Becca 154

Rugumayo Ronald 154

Kasaija Stephen 154

Kamulindwa David 155

Ogwang Emma 155

Deco Mutebi 155