Event: Africa Region IV Championship
Dates: 14th to 16th July 2022
Venue: Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa, Kigo
Uganda national golf team coach Flavia Namakula is confident that her side will win the 2022 edition of the Africa Region IV Championship that will run from 14th to 16th July at the comely Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa, Kigo.
The event was launched on Tuesday by representatives from Uganda Golf Union (UGU) and the host Lake Victoria Golf Resort and Spa, who is the main sponsor for the event.
The inaugural event of the Africa Region IV was in Nyali, Mombasa Kenya in 2018 and it was won by Uganda. In 2019, it was hosted by Burundi and it was won by Uganda again. In 2020 and 2021 it wasn’t held due to Covid-19 disruptions and now after a two-year hiatus, the title holders want to extend their dominance.
Team Uganda will be represented by 2021 Uganda Golf Open amateur winner Joseph Cwinyaai, Michael Alunga, Denis Asaba and Godfrey Nsubuga.
“These players were selected according to their performance in the recent events they played in and also their experience on the national team. I believe they’re the best group for this competition,” Namakula said.
“The players started team practice on the 9th of July and they have all been at their best. On 13th (Wednesday), they will walk the course and have a final feel of it,” Namakula noted adding that; “I have confidence in the team and I believe they will win this tournament again.”
Six countries will participate in this event namely Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and hosts Uganda. Each country will have four players.
Three rounds will be played under stroke play to seed the countries for the match play contest in the final round. Rounds one and two will be played on 14th July, round three on 15th July and the final
round on 16th July.
Joseph Bagabo, the UGU Treasurer, representing the UGU President Moses Matsiko said Uganda is proud to host the event and as defending champions they look forward to a treble.
UGU committee member John Kato is happy that the competition is finally back after a long hiatus. He also backs Uganda to come atop at the end of proceedings.
Theodor van Rooyen who is the Director of Golf at Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa said that they are proud to host the event and assured participants and organizers that the course is in good condition though some changes have been and will be made ahead of the 2022 Uganda Golf Open.
Basing on the current weather conditions, Theodor says that wind will be a big influence on ball flight but overall he believes the players will enjoy their rounds
This event is part of the Africa Golf Confederation regional events. Africa is split into 5 regions as per the Africa Sports Union. Region I is North Africa, Region II is West Africa, Region III is Central Africa, Region IV is East Africa, Horn of Africa & Indian Ocean Island countries and Region V is Southern Africa.
This is part of the R&A and the Africa Golf Confederation initiative to develop and grow the game of golf at regional level.
The event is co-sponsored by the R&A, Uganda Golf Union, Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa (main sponsor), Pepsi, Casa Solada Hotel, Pinnacle Security & Case Medical Services.