THE STATE OF GOLF IN UGANDA

In the past, almost every non-golfer in Uganda would profess that the game was ‘for the rich’; too expensive to take up, with subtleties that made it difficult for some interested individuals to try out. Unlike most sports, there are many inherent challenges one must work their way around to start hitting the game of sticks and balls. However, today, more Ugandans are starting to take up the game all over the country. Such a development can only brighten the future of the game, for the best golfers in the world were either discovered young or took up the game at an early age.

The Uganda Golf Union has made a deliberate effort to expand the Juniors Program for both girls and boys to enhance and empower the pool of youngsters playing the game. It was thus rewarding when the National Junior Golf team made history by finishing second overall behind South Africa in the All-Africa Junior Golf Challenge. This runner up slot was enough to guarantee Uganda a slot at the 2019 Toyota World Cup in Japan.

The Gems Cambridge Internationalsponsored team comprised Joel Basalaine, Denis Asaba, Michael Alunga and Ibrahim Aliga. Although the team didn’t make a big impression in Japan, Coach Stephen Kasaija’s youngsters showed the world that the game is taking baby steps in the right direction.

Today, some of the leading amateur golfers in the country are Joseph Cwinya-ai, who was indisputably the best in the country last year, Godfrey Nsubuga, Daniel Baguma and Rodell Gaita. The four were instrumental in guiding Uganda to victory in the Africa Region IV Golf Tournament held at the par-71 Bujumbura Golf Club course in June 2019. The victory was Uganda’s second in a row after the 2018 triumph at Nyali Golf Club in Mombasa, which was the inaugural edition of the tournament. While there, the former Uganda Golf Union President, Innocent

Kihika, was elected Chairman of the Africa Golf Region IV.

The Burundi victory was followed by another one against Kenya in the twonation Victoria Cup tournament that was played at the par-72 Uganda Golf Club course at Kitante.

Until last year, Kenya had claimed all three editions of the competition winning 13.5-12.5 points in 2016, 14-12 in 2017 and 19.5-6.5 in 2018. This time around, Uganda, desperate not to lose a fourth straight Victoria Cup, put up a resilient and dogged performance for a 14-12 triumph.

With golf now recognised by the International Olympic Committee, and Japan 2020 going to stage the game four years after Rio de Janeiro successfully hosted the first version of Olympic golf in 112 years, the news that the National Council of Sports had awarded the Uganda Golf Union their certificate couldn’t have come at a better time.

Golf has not been benefiting from the national cake, but that is because the game had not been cleared for the mandatory certificate from the government arm of sports in the country. In August, 2019, the team competed at the All Africa Golf Championship but finished in fourth place.

Yet again, Joseph Cwinya-ai was at the forefront as he produced the best score at the Mont Choisy Le Golf Course in Port Louis, Mauritius.

Meanwhile, female golfers hosted the 5th edition of the East and Central Africa Regional Challenge trophy at Entebbe

Golf Club in October 2019, but Tanzania was heads and shoulders above her neighbours. They outlasted Uganda by 26 shots to relegate her to second place with Kenya settling for third. Uganda was represented by Irene Nakalembe, Martha Babirye, veteran Gloria Mbaguta and Peace Kabasweka. The four lost to the Tanzanian quarter of Iddi Madina, Angel Eaton, Neema Olomi and Hawa Wanyeche.

The Uganda Ladies Golf Union is still searching for the next Flavia Namakula, whose skills couldn’t be used in the competition after she turned professional. The next Namakula can only emerge from the juniors, but this requires patience, dedication and sustained training for young female golfers.

With the Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa now an 18-hole course, local golfers can have a feel of what a world-class course looks like. The putting greens are a beauty, fairways smooth, and the hazards a creation of magnificence - when you aren’t falling in the water. Legendary Kenyan golfer Dismas Indiza told Ng’aali that he was in awe of the Serena Kigo.

“I rank it among the best five courses I have played on in Africa,” Indiza observed in September 2019, shortly after finishing fourth in the Uganda Golf Open.

With Serena, Kihiihi, Kasese, Entebbe, Lugazi and Kitante, Uganda now has six 18-hole golf courses. Only Kihiihi and Kasese are located in far-flung areas of the country, but there are other 9-hole courses in places like Arua, Jinja, Tororo, Mbale, Mbarara and Lira. The addition of the Uganda, Kitante and Entebbe Opens to the Safari Tour of professional golfers in the region has undoubtedly gone a long way in elevating the standard of the game in the country.

Brian Toolit, one of the Ugandan professionals on the tour, is convinced it leaves professional golf in a better state. “The competition gives us a unique challenge of playing among top golfers with varying techniques in the region,” he told Ng’aali. “We get to play on some of the best courses in Kenya and also against golfers who have played all over the world - we get to learn from the best out there.”

The Safari Tour events include Nyali Club in Mombasa, Royal Club in Nairobi, Muthaiga, Thika Greens and Sigona, to go along with rounds at Entebbe, Kitante and the Uganda Open.

Golf, or any other sport for that matter, has never been harmed by efforts to invest at the grassroots level. As Zambian professional Muthiya Madalitso observed after winning last year’s Uganda Open Professionals title, “You must have in place a committed and structured children’s program to build a bunch of young golfers who can grow into a formidable bunch when they mature.” There are no short cuts to success, and the Uganda Golf Union is aware.

UGU President on the state of golf in Uganda

40-year-old Moses Matsiko was elected the new President of the Uganda Golf Union, replacing the outgoing Innocent Kihika. He has set his eyes on growing the game at the grassroots level. As a father to an 8-year-old son, Banza, who is already showing huge promise, it is easy to see why Matsiko has a special affection for junior golf. Banza Matsiko plays off handicap 24 and his father, who plays off handicap 5, knows Banza’s future in the game is well ahead of him. Matsiko believes that only nurturing and monitoring a generation of child golfers will stand the game in good stead.

“When youngsters master the game early on, they hone their skills perfectly and by the time they peak, they can match the best from anywhere. It is our belief as the management of the Uganda Golf Union that we must put a lot of emphasis on this because it’s the logical thing to do.” Matsiko served on the previous executive of the Union as manager of the national team and union competitions, and believes there is a lot of goodwill from stakeholders for the game to go places. He is keen on enacting measures to raise the level of the women’s game and says they deserve an equal opportunity. Likewise, he believes professional golfers can be supported to raise their competitive levels against their rivals from Nigeria, Zambia, Kenya and Zimbabwe. A member of Mbarara Golf Club, Kihiihi, Palm Valley, Entebbe and Uganda Golf Club, he is advocating for a close working relationship amongst clubs all over the country for he believes golfers are a ‘close-knit family.’

“You may have noticed that some of the best amateur players in the country are from upcountry clubs, which is why I think we must work hard to uplift all clubs, particularly the ones furthest from Kampala.” This year, the Union received a Certificate of Compliance from the National Council of Sports (NCS) and Matsiko believes the government’s recognition of the sport will herald a new era.

“When you have the government on your side, everything becomes more or less solved because we can do with funding, support for the development side of the game, course preservation and maintenance, and so much more.” He also hopes to grow the profile of the Seniors Golf Society. “Seniors contributed to the present-day game and we must remember that we will be seniors one day, so the competitiveness and vibrancy of their society is a logical thing to foster.”