Uganda national golf team Captain Joseph Cwinyaai was the standout player for his side in the opening day (Thursday) of the Africa Region IV Championship that’s currently underway at the prepossessing Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa, Kigo.
Cwinyaai posted a joint-best score of level par 72 in the first round of the day alongside Tanzania’s Dawdi Isiaka. He managed 1 under par 71 in the second round but then it was Kenya’s Michael Karanga who returned the best score of 3 under par 69 though he had shot 5 over par 77 in the first round.
“I attribute my performance to good preparations and thanks to Uganda Golf Union (URU) and my friends for the support,” Cwinyaai said adding that; “the weather was a bit teasy but the wind wasn’t too much but for us who have been playing here before, such conditions are not new to us.”
The top three scores of the day were considered from each team and for Uganda, Godfrey Nsubuga (73, 77) and Denis Asaba (77,79) were the other top performers. Michael Alunga (82, 80) had a bad day albeit dominating pre-tournament conversations.
In the opening round of day one, Uganda was number one on the six-team table with a gross score of 222 and bagged 3 points while Kenya was second with a gross score 225 and claimed 2.5 points meant for the runner-up.
However, the reverse was true in the second round as Kenya returned an overall gross of 220, claiming the top spot which comes with 3 points. Uganda emerged second with an overall gross of 227 and got 2.5 points in the second round of the day.
Uganda and Kenya go into day two of the competition (Friday) with an even score of 5.5 points apiece and are the sides to beat.
Cwinyaai believes that the Thursday display was a good blue print for the hosts who are looking forward to winning the title for a third straight time, since its inception.
“We hope to give our best in the remaining part for the competition so people should expect the best from us. We are ready to defend the title,” Cwinyaai said.
Day two will also be played under stroke play and 36 holes/two rounds to seed the countries for the one-round match play contest in the final round on Saturday.
Meanwhile, after the opening day, Tanzania are third with 4.0 points, Rwanda are fourth with 3.0 points, Ethiopia come fifth with 1.5 points just like rock bottom placed Burundi.
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.
