Dennis Asaba returned level par 72 in the first round. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
Uganda takes on Kenya in the second round of the Zone V Africa Golf Championships after qualifying in 6th place, following the first singles stroke-play round at the Nkana Golf Club in Zambia yesterday.
Fresh from representing Uganda at the Africa Junior Championship in Zimbabwe last month, youngster Denis Asaba produced the best score for team as the rest struggled.
Asaba’s level 72 score was only bettered by South Africa’s Marco Steyn and Swaziland’s James Pennington who hit one under par 71 each, and only matched by Zimbabwe’s David Amm.
Uganda will be playing against familiar foes in Alfred Nandwa, Edwin Mudanyi, John Karichu and Samuel Njoroge as they renew their rivalry against their neighbours’.
“First and foremost we want to win because we see no threat; the only challenge is getting around the course because it is tight with big bushes around though in good condition, so whoever hits the fairway will return good scores. We are looking to qualify as number one and still win the title,” Mwanja had vowed on Tuesday.
But the results proved otherwise despite Uganda qualifying.
Daniel Baguma returned 81 gross, Ronald Otile 83 with team captain Becca Mwanja returning a non-counting 85, but Uganda qualified for the second round where they face Kenya in the foursomes and two singles matches in the second round.
Team manager John Katto was all praise for Asaba who is going to play the foursomes with Mwanja.
“Asaba played very well. 2 over front nine, 2 under back nine. The course is playing very tough. Its main feature is the tiny greens all around; very difficult to land and stay on. The rough is very high with thin fairways. But in very good shape,” Katto remarked.
In other matches today, South Africa takes on Botswana, Zimbabwe entertain Swaziland as Zambia battle Namibia.
The other teams South Africa 2, Zambia 2, Zimbabwe 2, Angola 2 and Botswana will be fighting for the last five positions outside the main competition.
Round 1
South Africa
Marco Steyn 71
Kyle McClatchy 72
Luca Filippi 74
Christo Lamprecht 75
Zambia
Mwalikwa Sondashi 73
Aaron Simfukwe 74
Kelly Tembo 79
Mukuka Mwango 80
Zimbabwe
David Amm 72
Tonderati Masinga 79
Rasheed Mohammed 80
Bekithemba Ndlovu 81
Uganda
Denis Asaba 72
Daniel Baguma 81
Ronald Otile 83
Becca Mwanja 85
Kenya
Samuel Njoroge 75
Alfred Nandwa 77
Edwin Mudanyi 78
John Karichu 78
Botswana
Leroy Pearman 80
Dikgang Lemogang 83
Billy Anabwani 88
Clayton Shangare 90
Swaziland
James Pennington 71
Vusi Dlamini 80
Sifiso Vilane 81
Jabulane Mabaso 84
Namibia
Liki Nande 79
Walter Heibeb 83
Stefa Bonefatius 84
Dennis Heimbodi 88
