Team Uganda in high spirits despite flight ordeal
Aug 23, 2017
The humid conditions are only the thing seemingly worrying the players
Thursday: Singles round
Friday: Foursomes & Four-ball-better-ball
Saturday: Final singles round
After missing their initial flight to Dar es Salaam, the national golf team finally made it to Tanzania, Wednesday morning ready to compete in the East African Golf Challenge at the Gymkhana Club.
After their official practice round the team was in high spirits and were pictured enjoying coconuts, with the humid conditions only the thing seemingly to worry about.
"We practiced well and the course is fine though it is a bit hotter than we thought," team captain Becca Mwanja said.
In the practice match ups Ronald Otile and Daniel Baguma beat Adolf Muhumuza and David Kamulindwa, 3up while the pair of Stephen Kasaija and Richard Baguma also won their match against Becca Mwanja and Ronald Rugumayo, 1up.
As per tradition a ‘mega bonus' of $1000 (sh3.6m) awaits the team if they win the championship according to Uganda Golf Union vice president Innocent Kihika.
According to Kihika there shouldn't be any worries over allowances, as their break-down is performance based. Each player is entitled to $30 per day while on duty and each one or pair gets an extra $20 for each game won in the match-play championships.
He said this has been the tradition since 2014 when Uganda began their treble chasing and winning streak that has seen them win the championship for the past three years, and that it was the same when the team defended the trophy in Ethiopia last year.
Uganda who is gunning for their 7th trophy have for the past three years edged Kenya to the championship by a point.
Kenya, last won the cup in 2013 when the championship was held at the Great Rift Valley Resort Naivasha.
The tournament tees off tomorrow with a singles round today before the foursomes and four-balls on Friday and will conclude with another singles round on Saturday.
Uganda is represented by Ronald Rugumayo, Richard Baguma, Becca Mwanja, David Kamulindwa and Stephen Kasaija, Ronald Otile and Daniel Baguma with Amos Kamya as coach.
The annual tournament will be contested for by golfing teams from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Tanzania and Ethiopia.