There is promising golf talent in many of the African countries. Each of the associations only has to have development programmes. Nothing will change overnight. There is need to stick to the structured plan in place – Eden Thompson, R&A Development Manager for Africa.

Eden Thompson, the Royal & Ancient (R&A) Development Manager for Africa, tipped African golf unions and associations to produce the next generation of elite golfers in the world.

Thompson was in Uganda to oversee the 2023 All Africa Junior Golf Championship at the par-72 Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa course in Kigo, Wakiso District. He saluted the host, Uganda Golf Union (UGU), for the level of preparation on such a world championship course where a record number of teams attended.

“There is promising golf talent in many of the African countries. Each of the associations (federations) only has to have development programmes. Nothing will change overnight. There is need to stick to the structured plan in place, Thompson advised.

The preparations for the 2023 All Africa Junior Golf championships were top class. The largest number of teams were registered. The tournament progressed well with three referees. The course surface was excellent with great fairways and greens. Despite the day one disruption by the rain but it was solved immediately with a two tee start from round two until the end. The level of organization was good and the accommodation (at Speke Resort Munyonyo) world class and comfortable. The only aspect that needed a little improvement was transport.

Thompson noted that the margin of golf quality is steadily narrowing between the top and bottom placed countries. It is evident that there is a difference between the top and wider countries. But this gap is steadily narrowing. We had good scores, excellent decision making by players and we managed to see two hole-in-one scores.

Uganda’s boys were second behind South Africa to book the third slot to the coveted Toyota Golf World Cup in Tokyo, Japan, teeing on 20th until 23rd June 2023. This will be Uganda’s second time at the Junior world cup since 2018. Africa Golf Confederation president Johnson Omollo hailed the R&A for the support offered to the confederation and individual African countries.