Uganda- Kenya Coast Tourism Golf Tournament 2024:
- Winner: Kenya – 32 points
- Second: Uganda – 31 points
It was a revenge mission well planned, executed and accomplished in style as team Kenya overcame Uganda at the latter’s backyard in Kampala (par-72 Uganda Golf Club).
Having fallen in the inaugural edition at Vipingo course in Mombasa in May 2024, Kenya sought for the perfect pay-back in the same currency, winning by a single point, 32-31.
The well attended day-long championship was the return leg of the bi-lateral Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism tournament.
Close to 180 golfers of all walks of life in varying professions from the two sister countries engaged in this tournament, a precursor to the third edition of the Uganda-Kenya coast tourism conference (20th and 21st November 2024).
Affluent personalities as Kenyan Ambassador Joach Maangi, Uganda’s Consulate in Mombasa Paul Mukumbya, state Minister for Tourism Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, legislators Hon. Dickson C. Kateshumbwa (MP Sheema Municipality), Hon. Patience Nkunda Kinshaba (Woman MP Kanungu district) and others graced this event.
“The Uganda-Kenya Coast tourism golf tournament at Uganda Golf Club, Kampala was a success. I thank all the stakeholders, partners and players for making it happen as we look forward subsequent editions. This is one of the activities we are having as we gear up to the third Uganda-Kenya Coast tourism conference. Golfers have a reasonable disposable income and are key in facilitating the growth of the tourism industry” Ambassador Mukumbya stated.
State minister for Tourism Hon Mugarra was delighted by this initiative that he dubbed as a “blessing”.
“It is a blessing to have such a Uganda-Kenya Coast Golf tournament and as the sector, we are fully behind such initiatives” Hon. Mugarra remarked.
In the tournament proper; it the event was far from the driving, chipping, approach and putting sessions, but rather, a combination of networking gimmicks as the golfers maneuvered hole by hole from the front to the back nine of this historic golfing facility cris-crossed by the famous Kitante stream.
Team Kenya triumphed the day with 32-31 sweet win to avenge the bitter loss in Vipingo earlier in the year.
Kenya’s team had the likes of Ali Mohammed, Kimanga Ndungu, Farook Okedi, Ben Macharia, Mackton Wekhomba, Paul Chivatsigai, Kanini Kega, Anthony Gacheru, Nicholas Mayo, Isaac Mareira, Joshua Matei and James Gitonga as they celebrated wildly with the Silverback branded trophy.
Scores:
Playing off handicap 22, Sifa Dena championed the front 9 (men) with 22 points as Sheema Municipality Legislator Hon. Dickson Kateshumbwa refreshed from the Coffee Bill debate in the August House with the back nine win (22 points on countback).
For the ladies’ section; Harriet Kitaka amassed 21 points to topple the rest of the field on the fore course with Esther Aganyire taking charge of the back course on 19 points (countback).
Jimmy Odongkara (handicap 17) was the outstanding individual male player with 41 stableford points, coming top ahead of seasoned sports journalist Mark Namanya, handicap 12, (39 points, countback).
Hiase Koshiba from Japan (Handicap 26) emerged as the best lady player on the sunny day with 42 points.
Koshiba was ahead of Mauren Obunga (37 points, countback) and the left handed Gloria Mbaguta, playing off handicap 8 (37 points).
Veteran golfers Moses Turyatemba and Jenina Nasimolo won the seniors’ category (55 years and above) in the men and ladies respective categories with 36 and 30 points apiece.
Side-bets:
Ashvin Kananathan swung nearest to the pin for the men whilst Uganda Golf Club Lady captain Wendy Angudeyo emerged as the female winner.
Michael Muhangi and Bernadette Musanabera were the winners for the longest drive contest in the male and female genders respectively.
Winners received trophies, duffle bags, shoe bags, golf balls, water bottles, accommodation vouchers and other enticing goodies.
The party-time on the terraces of Uganda Golf Club continued through the night with the band performance and latest selections of the DJ’s on duty.
Meanwhile, several members on the visiting Kenyan delegation are around on the much treasured tour of Uganda where they will visit the national parks, source of the River Nile, mountains, historic sites and other places of relevance ahead of the highly anticipated conference on 20th and 21st November 2024 at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
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