As Uganda hosted Kenya in the sixth edition of the two-nation Victoria Cup, questions about the choice of the host team composition and preparedness lingered amongst the golf fraternity.

But the Ugandans put up a spirited performance that ensured they didn’t lose to the much-fancied Kenyans but instead shared the spoils with 11 points apiece at the end of the tournament.

Catching the eye were three Ugandan youngsters and debutants, John Musiimenta, Amon Bwambale, and Elton Thembo from the Uganda Golf Club, Tooro, and Entebbe Clubs who performed beyond expectations. 

After Uganda lost the opening round of the foursomes 3-1 with only the pair of Joseph Cwinya-ai/Andrew Ssekibejja winning their match, the youngsters (Amon Bwambale/Thembo were ‘sacrificed’ in the second round against Adel Balala/Ebill Omollo but they scooped a half point to the surprise of many. Cwinya-ai/Akena picked the only full point in this round which Uganda lost 2.5-1.5 points.

The youngsters just like the rest of the team rose to the occasion in the third round-foursomes which Uganda won 3.5-0.5 points. Here Bwambale/Thembo squared it out with Balala/Omollo while Musiimenta combined with Ibrahim Bagalana to beat Sammy Mulama/Krisch Beiju; 2&1.

The youngsters are now looking forward to facing the same opponents later this year in Nairobi. 

“The course was playable but we lacked the experience of playing in a match-play tournament; I have learned a lot and it will help me in the upcoming tournaments and I will make sure that we win next time it is held,” Thembo, 20, said.

“We have to continue working as a team because I think it was what let us down in the first round because when we cooperated and talked to each other more in the second, the results were in our favour,” Thembo noted.

For Musiimenta, 19, the tournament showed that that no one can claim he is better in this sport as anyone can be beaten.

“What I promise is the next time we pray them we shall re-emphasize teamwork and beat them. This tournament taught me never to give up or succumb to pressure. I remained focused and my opponent was just lucky, it was just his lucky day,” Musiimenta who first represented the country as a 14-year-old, stated.

On his part, Amon Bwambale, 20, came to the tournament with a strategy of playing easy shots and ensuring he remained hydrated all the time to be able to contain the pressure.

“The pressure was too much but I managed to calm down by always playing my easiest shot because whenever I’m under pressure I have a strategy by taking enough water and playing easy shots where I can always see the ball,” Bwambale said.

“We complemented ourselves well and whenever I made a mistake my partner would correct my fault with a good shot,” Bwambale stated.

Senior player Ibrahim Bagalana praised the fighting spirit of the youngsters.

“These young boys are the future of golf in Uganda and we are just trying to build their confidence by encouraging them to keep smiling while at it and it is putting us on a good platform,” Bagalana said.

Team coach Flavia Namakula was also proud of the youngsters and said they played well without fear.