Shaky start for Uganda at the All-Africa Golf Team Championship in Tunisia

Ugandan junior golfers had a shaky start as the All-Africa Golf Championship started at the Residence Golf Course in Tunisia yesterday.

After the first round, the Ugandans were placed ninth and seventh in the boys and girls’ categories, out of twelve and nine teams, respectively.

It will now take a miracle for the Ugandan teams to hit any of their team targets of either winning the championship or finishing second in either category for a chance to play in this year’s Toyota Junior Golf World Cup in Japan in June.

John Paul Rugumambaju, Anthony Otukei, and Shaka Kariisa were Uganda’s scorers, with their cards reading 82, 85, and 86 gross, respectively, while Keisha Wiltshire Kagoro and Rachael Laura Natukunda held fort for the girls’ side, managing 87 and 89, respectively, as Peter Mayende’s 89 and Elizabeth Danelle Kawalya’s 94 did not count on the day’s scores. The best three and two scores count toward each round’s team total.

Coach Flavia Namakula had hoped for the best but was wary of the windy conditions on the par 72 course located on the coast. “But it's going to be the same conditions for everyone. The spirits are high. We hope to do our best,” she intimated before yesterday’s round.

South Africa and Morocco lead the standings after the first round of the championship that doubles as a World Cup qualifier. The best two teams from each division will represent Africa in Japan.

Round one leaderboard

Boys (Best 3 scores)

South Africa 219

Morocco 226

Zimbabwe 228

Mauritius 237

Kenya 238

Egypt 240

Tunisia 241

Namibia 252

Uganda 253

Zambia 255

Botswana 270

Ivory Coast 284

Girls (Best 2 scores)

Morocco 150

Tunisia 150

Kenya 158

South Africa 160

Botswana 167

Egypt 169

Uganda 176

Zimbabwe 176

Mauritius 187