Kenya edge Uganda in inaugural Victoria Cup

Uganda Golf Union secretary Bernard Mbayo has hailed the national golf team that participated in the inaugural Victoria Cup between Kenya and Uganda for putting up a great show during the three-day championship.

Despite losing the championship 13.5-12.5 points, Uganda edged Kenya by a point in the last singles round for which the golf fraternity and Mbayo is all praises for the new look team.

"We did so well considering that we drafted a whole eight new players into the senior side with no experience at all. Players like Ismail Muhamood Becca Mwanja and Ashraf Bagalana surprised us especially after the later was drafted onto the team by an executive decision after he won the Eskom tournament," Mbayo said.

 Ugandans (red) and their Kenyan counterparts pose for a group photo

"The three juniors Joel Basalaine, Edrine Okong and Dennis Asaba did so well too and the future of golf in Uganda seems in safe hands and as a national governing body we shall continue to ensure such events that expose our players to extreme conditions to prepare them well for future engagements," Mbayo stated.

"It is a good showing from a team with many newcomers and more so playing on a new course away from home. The experience will serve them well in the East African Challenge in Ethiopia," Paul Baite a UGU executive member remarked.

Uganda squared off with Kenya in the opening two rounds before losing the next two 2.5-1.5 each, before prevailing in the last Singles round 5.5-4.5 points with Becca Mwanja, Adolf Muhumuza, Ronald Rugumayo and Dennis Asaba winning their matches against Elias Indeche, Moi Lemoshira, Jamal Agil, Mutahi Kibugu and John Lejirma respectively.

Joel Basalaine squared off with Bo Ciera while Grace Kasango, Ismail Muhamood, Ashraf Bagalana and Edrine Okong lost their matches against Dennis Maara, Mike Kisia, John Gitonga  and Neer Chandaria respectively.