National golf team takes shape after qualifiers

PIC: The Ugandan team were in bouyant mood  before the start of the Victoria Cup at Entebbe Club last year. (Credit: Michael Nsubuga)

GOLF

VICTORIA CUP

KAMPALA - Uganda will confront Kenya in the third edition of the Victoria Cup at the Vetlab Sports Club in Nairobi, July 25-28 with almost the same team that lost the second edition by two points in Entebbe.

Apart from Abraham Ainamani and Andrew Byaruhanga who are the new faces on the team this year following qualifiers on Monday and Tuesday, the rest of the team will tread on familiar territory after they all made it through the qualifiers.

The team will not be short of experience after former captain, Adolf Muhumuza topped the qualifiers with 289 gross over 72 holes in Kampala and Entebbe.

Uganda golf champion Ronald Rugumayo is also back having come second, three strokes away while Herman Mutebi ‘Deco' finished third having returned 293 gross.

Joseph Cwinya-ai, Richard Baguma, David Kamulindwa, Rodwel Gaita and captain Becca Mwanja complete the roster of players that now enter camp to prepare not only for the Victoria Cup in Nairobi but for the Zone IV Africa Golf Championships in Mombasa thereafter.

Martin Ochaya and Emma Ogwang who were on last year's team missed the cut alongside Collins Ajidra, Aaron Mugomola and Joseph Kasozi.

Uganda will be seeking to register their maiden win in the two-nation tournament that is akin to the Ryder Cup between teams from the US and Europe.

Kenya has won the past two editions, the first by a point at Muthaiga Golf Club and the second by two points in Entebbe last year where they edged Uganda by two points.

 

Qualifying results

Adolf Muhumuza    77 72 69 71 289

Ronald  Rugumayo  77 69 76 71 292

Herman Mutebi        74 77 69 73 293

Joseph Cwinya-ai     77 73 74 71 295

Richard Baguma       76 70 73 76 295

David Kamulindwa  70 83 71 72 296

Rodwel Gaita           74 77 76 77 299

Abraham Ainamani 73 77 73 76 300

Becca Mwanja         75 83 73 73 304

Andrew Byaruhanga 80 80 75 73 308

 
Missed cut

Martin Ochaya        79 83 75 73 310

Collins Ajidra        80 74 77 80   311

Emma Ogwang      74 81 74 82   311

Aaron Mugomola    83 79 75 77 314

Joseph Kasozi        81 81 84 74   321

Michael Tumusiime 76 87 77 81 321