The quartet of Reagan Akena, Juma Abiti, Abdul Kakeeto and Ibrahim Ssemakula together with coach Flavia Namakula walked with their heads up after sealing one of the two available tickets to the Junior Golf World Cup due June in Japan.

Tournament Details:

Name of Event:       All Africa Junior Team Championship

Venue:                       Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa, Kigo

Dates:                        April 17 to April 20, 2023

Hosts Uganda fought off competition from two opponents Zimbabwe and Zambia in the boys’ category to finish second at the All-Africa Junior Team Golf Championships in Kigo. The All Africa Junior Team Championship is one of the premier events on the Africa’s annual schedule, as it serves as the African Qualifier for the prestigious Toyota Junior Golf World Cup which will be held later this year in Japan.

The quartet of captain Reagan Akena, Juma Abiti, Abdul Kakeeto and Ibrahim Ssemakula together with coach Flavia Namakula walked with their heads up to tournament prize giving ceremony at the Commonwealth Resort  Munyonyo after sealing one of the two available tickets to the Junior Golf World Cup due June in Japan.

The team had rallied from fourth place overnight finish with an aggregate team total of 940, 90 strokes behind winners South Africa. They were tied with Zambia and both were five strokes adrift of Zimbabwe while Egypt was a stroke ahead in third after Day Three action. South Africa were already assured of the trophies and slots to the World Cup in both categories with the charge spearheaded by best individual players, Jack Buchanan and Kyra Van Kan who finished on best aggregate scores of three-under 285 over 72 holes.

The Ugandan teenagers turned on the lights in the final round at the par-72 Serena course with Abiti returning one-over 73 comprising three birdies and an eagle on the Hole par-5 No.17 green to finish joint-third on the day’s leaderboard.

“We were under a lot of pressure to be the first at this tournament. But we later accepted we could not get first place and focused on getting to Japan,” said Akena, a handicap three golfer from Mehta Golf Club.

There was still some pressure at the end coming in from the Zimbabweans after their best Michael Wallace had returned 73 too. But the troops from Harare had their hopes buried when Vincent Chidambazina wobbled with a birdie-less round of 82 comprising six bogeys and the two crushing double-bogeys at the Holes No.17 and par-4 No.18. Zimbabwe finished fourth, a stroke behind third-placed Zambia who had 944.

Uganda will now play at the World Cup for the second time after the quartet of Michael Alunga, Ibrahim Aliga, Denis Asaba and Joel Basalaine played at the 2019 edition held at the par-72 course at Chukyo Golf Club in Toyota City, Aichi.

Meanwhile, girls’ captain, Frista Birabwa, finished ninth on the individuals’ leaderboard but the entire trio together with Winnie Musuya and Vivian Achen finished fourth overall with an aggregate total of 691, 29 strokes adrift of third-placed Kenya.

Fifteen countries – Botswana, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and host Uganda participated in the continental golf event. Each country was allowed to enter a boys team composed of four (4) players and a girls team composed of three (3) players. Uganda entered a boys team composed of Reagan Joseph Akena, Ibrahim Ssemakula, Juma Abiti and Abdul Kakeeto, as well as a girls team composed of Frista Birabwa, Vivian Achen and Winnie Musuya. The Team Coach was Flavia Namakula and the Team Manager was Sam Kacungira.

“Our focus is on the development of juniors. Hosting the All Africa Junior Team Championship has enabled us to test our players and our programs and therefore prepare better for related events in the near future,” said Moses Matsiko, the Uganda Golf Union president.

The event was graced by officials from the Africa Golf Confederation namely Johnson Omolo (President, AGC), Mike Aggrey (Secretary General, AGC), Christopher Mulenga (Executive Member, AGC) Phillip Ochola (Chairman, AGC Technical Committee) and Michael Mahachi (Chief Referee). The organizing committee is headed by Dr. Jackson Were who is the Tournament Director. Other members of the committee are Moses Matsiko (President, UGU and Tournament Host), Anthony Agaba (Secretary, UGU), Joseph Bagabo (Treasurer, UGU), Robert Ejiku (Committee Member, UGU), Doreen Mwesigye (President, ULGU), Edwin Tumusiime (Head, UGU Technical Committee), Sadi Atibu (UGU Technical Committee), Wendy Angudeyo (Transport), Gloria Mbaguta (Guests hospitality) and Paul Kaheru (Event Manager).

The sponsors for the event are R&A, National Council of Sports, Pepsi, Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa and Speke Resort Munyonyo.

Final Leaderboard

Name                                                         D1       D2      D3      D4      Total

1. Jack Buchanan (RSA)                           73        69       70       73        285

2. Amilkar Bhana (RSA)                           78       70       70       70       288

3. Keagan Crosbie (RSA)                         71        70       78       70       289

4. Jaden Deltel (RSA)                               73        73        71        73     290

5. Todd Parker (ZIM)                               79       71        72       74       296

6. Michael Wallace (ZIM)                        77        80       70       73       300

7. Juma Abiti (UGA)                                78       78       76       76       308

8. Krish Beiju Shah (KEN)                       80       77        80       74       311

9. Mohamed Amr (EGY)                          75        74       80       83       312

10. Leornard Chibwe (ZAM)                  77        80       81        75       313

T17. Reagan Akena (UGA)                    80       82       85       73        320