Uganda finishes fourth at All-Africa Challenge Trophy in Kenya
The team of Peace Kabasweka, Meron Kyomugisha, and Keisha Kagoro finished fourth among seven competing countries, a step down from their third-place result in Rwanda two years ago.
Team Uganda during the flag off ahead of the EACAACT Golf Championship in Kenya by NCS' Assistant General Secretary Milton Chebet (left). Photo by Michael Nsubuga
Uganda managed a fourth-place finish as this year's East & Central Africa All-Africa Challenge Trophy concluded at the Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort in Naivasha, Kenya on Friday.
The team of Peace Kabasweka, Meron Kyomugisha, and Keisha Kagoro finished fourth among seven competing countries, a step down from their third-place result in Rwanda two years ago.
Kenya, who were runners-up in Kigali, could not be denied on home turf, topping this year’s championship with an aggregate score of 679 gross from their top three players: Joyce Wanjiru (221), Kanana Muthoni (227), and Mercy Nyachama (231) over the 54 holes of competition.
The defending champions Tanzania who fielded Neema Olomi (220), Twalibu Shufaa (242) and Elias Vicky (245) were relegated to third place this time by a resurgent Reunion side that finished second with an aggregate of 682. Reunion also produced the best individual in Schmitt Melliyal who carded an overall 4-under 212 ahead of Tanzanian Neema Olomi (220) and Kenyan Joyce Wanjiru (221). She was also the only player to play under par in two rounds. Reunion’s other scorers included Odin Ophelie (233) and Agathe Sagansan (237).
Uganda’s best player was team captain Peace Kabasweka who finished seventh overall with 235 out of 21 players. Kyomugisha and Kagoro finished 13th and 15th overall having carded 246 and 250 respectively over the three rounds.
“It was tough,” team coach Flavia Namakula said. “The start was not good at all. Day two was worse; we tried to improve on the last day but it was not good enough to give us the third place that we had hoped for. But the players did their best,” she stated.
Kabasweka opened with a 6-over 78, Kagoro and Kyomugisha with an 82 and 85 which did not help their campaign in these premier regional women’s amateur golf championship for East and Central African teams.
The Ugandan team was supported by the National Council of Sports, the R&A, Uganda Airlines, Stanbic Bank, Neptune, and the Challengers.
Final leaderboard
Kenya 679
Reunion 682
Tanzania 707
Uganda 731
Zambia 748
Rwanda 785
Madagascar 846