With an overall fair start for Uganda’s boys team, Ibrahim Ssemakula put up a good display during the opening round of the All Africa Junior Team Championship on Monday at Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa, Kigo.
Ssemakula was the best Ugandan in the first round with 2-over 74 as junior golfers from across the continent showcased their skills at the comely course.
Ssemakula birdied in the par-3 hole 7, par-4 hole 12 and par-5 hole 13. He had 10 pars and dropped five shots.
Juma Abiti was the second best Ugandan with 6-over 78 ahead of Tuesday’s second round. He birdied twice, had 8 pars and dropped 8 shots.
Team skipper Reagan Joseph Akena had 80 and Abdul Kakeeto followed with 84. Akena’s major highlight on day one was when he managed a hole-in-one in the par-3 hole 4.
South Africa leads the boys category with Keagan Crosbie leading the entire pack with 1-under par 71. Jack Buchanan and Jaden Patel are tied with 1-over par 73.
For Uganda’s girls, Winnie Musuyi posted 83, Frista Birabwa had 86 and Vivian Achen Wanok shot 88.
South African girls claimed a day one lead with a 71 by Kyra van Kan being the best score for the team, supported by a 77 and 78 by Jasmine Furstenburg and Zane Kleynhans.
Mode of play is stroke play over 72 holes and the best 3 scores per day count for the boys and the best 2 scores per day count for the girls.
Meanwhile, some teams didn’t finish their opening rounds due to the late start caused by the morning rain. The remaining holes were scheduled to be played on Tuesday.
The sponsors for the event are R&A, National Council of Sports, Pepsi, Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa and Speke Resort Munyonyo.
The All Africa Junior Team Championship is one of the premier events on the African continent’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.
