Uganda national golf team successfully defended the East African Golf Challenge title when they gallantly fought to win the 2015 Edition held at the par 72 Nyarutarama Golf Course in the heart of the Rwandan capital, Kigali.
In the final standings, Uganda was a point better of the challenge record winners, Kenya.
After trailing Kenya by a point by the close of business on the opening day of the singles, Amos Kamya’s coached side rallied back in the foursome, four ball, better ball contest and final singles action on the subsequent days to mount a memorable come back.
An excited head coach, Amos Kamya told Kawowo Sports;
We planned for the winning combinations. We had a strategy and it worked to perfection. I owe our success to team work
Skippered by Mehta Club member, Ronald Bukenya, team Uganda was flaw-less on day two and the closing final stage of the three day tourney played on stroke match play.
Like the case was in 2014 during the event held at Entebbe Club, Uganda defied the odds in rainy weather to beat Kenya after tallying 18.5 points to get better of the much fancied Kenyans by a point difference.
Uganda thus wins their 5th East African Golf challenge crown since 2001.
The other years Uganda was successful are 2009, 2010 and 2014. Kenya leads with 11 titles.
Kenya golfers
Winning Team Uganda Members:
Ronald Bukenya (Captain), Ronald Otile, Ronald Rugumayo, Robert Oluba, Robert Happy, Daniel Baguma, Andrew Byaruhanga and Herman Mutebi
Head Coach: Amos Kamya
Selected Final Day Results:
Ronald Bukenya (Uganda) 6/4 Tesfaye Gebru (Ethiopia)
Kenneth Bollo (Kenya) A/S Ronald Otile (Uganda)
Natanim Fantahun (Ethiopia) 4/3 Justus Madoya (Kenya)
Robert Happy (Uganda) 4up Afrodid Nyirinkwaya (Rwanda)
Bhavnish Chandria (Kenya) 4/2 Martin McDonald (Tanzania)
Tilaye Getaneh (Ethiopia) 1up Celestine Nsanzuwera
Francis Julias (Tamzania) 8/7 Robert Oluba (Uganda)
Anthony Kinuthia (Kenya) Jules Mutesa (Rwanda )1 up
Abbas Adam (Tanzania) 1up Hagos Mulu (Ethiopia)
TEAM UGANDA HONOURS ROLL
2001: East Africa Challenge champions
2009: East Africa Challenge champions
2010: East Africa Challenge champions
2014: East Africa Challenge champions
2015: East Africa Challenge champions