Golf: Kenya helpless as archrivals Uganda win

SPORTS-GOLF-REGION IV; SPORTS-GOLF-REGION IV;Team Kenya from right Coach Ali Kimani, Edwin Mudanyi,Daniel Nduva, John Karichu and Martin Kibugu display the Kenyan flag at the Nyali golf and Country club in Mombasa on Sunday,05th August 2018 during the 2018 Region IV golf Championships.[Maarufu Mohamed,Standard]

Nduva of Nyali offers consolation with best stroke play award

Region IV tournament ends at Nyali as annual junior strokes play tees off today at Muthaiga

Kenya watched helplessly at Nyali Golf and Country Club as arch-rivals Uganda overcame Rwanda to win the Region IV golf tournament over the weekend.

As the defending champions, Kenya had started on a high note leading day one on a total three best gross score of 429 with Uganda following on 443 and Rwanda 472.

However, Kenya’s grip on the title was yanked away by Rwanda in the semifinal as Uganda too disposed of neigbours Tanzania in a game played on match play format.

Uganda beat Rwanda in match play in the final on Sunday to clinch the inaugural trophy of the Region IV Championship, originally called the African Zone Six Championship.

Kenya finished third.

Uganda Golf Union President, Innocent Kihika, was happy with the victory coming two years since winning the title when it was known as the East African Challenge.

“We came here to win and we have accomplished our objective,” said Kihika.

The tournament, with four players from each of the eight countries, was jointly organised by Kenya Golf Union and Uganda Golf Union.

Tanzania finished fourth place and Ethiopia fifth while Burundi, Seychelles and DR Congo ended the tournament in that order.

Kenya’s top ranked golfer Daniel Nduva of Nyali and currently based in South Africa emerged the best golfer with the best stroke play score of 136 strokes while Uganda’s Adolf Muhumuza’s came second with 138 strokes.

Kenya coach Ali Kimani congratulated the winners Uganda and praised his boys for putting up a strong fight.

“We came here expecting to win but unfortunately we lost out to worthy opponents. The boys played well, but we lost out at a crucial stage of the tournament,” said team Kimani.

Elsewhere, Kenya’s top junior golfers, including three who represented the country at the just concluded Victoria Cup at Vet Lab will be on parade at the annual Junior Stroke play 2018 Championship popularly known as Boys and Girls, which starts today through to Thursday at the par 71 Muthaiga golf club.

The three juniors, Mutahi Kibugu, Zubair Khan and Agil Is Hag will face off with Scotland-based Akshay Chandaria of Windsor and Dubai-based Kellie Gachaga of Muthaiga among others. Gachaga is the 2018 Ladies Coast Champion (Mombasa Cup) and the 2017 Kenya Ladies Champion.

The junior players will cover 36 holes (today), 18 holes on Wednesday and the final 18 holes on Thursday in the championship that has attracted 48 players.

Region IV Teams

Kenya: Daniel Nduva, Edwin Mundanyi, Martin Kibugu, John Karichu.

Uganda: Adolf Umhumiza, Ronald Rugumayo, David Kamulindwa, J.Chinyai.

Tanzania: A.Adam, Victor Joseph, R.Mtweve, G.Sembi.

Ethiopia: T.Bogale, B.Syoum, A.Hajle, K.Tesfaye;

Rwanda: E.Nkurunziza, A.Nsabimana, E.Rutayisire;

Congo: A. Balala, G. Munyao, R. Deventer, V. Yabili.

Seychelles: R. Doffay, J. Ester, G. Andrade, D. Houreau

Burundi: A. Bizimana, J. Simbagoye, S. Ramazani, T. said.