Kenyans march to Victoria Cup glory

Hosts Kenya won the inaugural Victoria Cup golf championship title after beating hard-fighting Uganda by a slim one point at the par 71 Muthaiga Golf Club course on Sunday.

The Ugandans, who started the final round singles two points behind Kenya, displayed an excellent performance. The visitors won five matches, draw one against Kenya’s four wins and one halve for 12.5 points for the Ugandans against Kenya’s 13.5 points.

What a dramatic finish, particularly in the last game between Kenyan captain Bo Ciera and Uganda’s Joel Basalaine. At the 17th hole, Basalaine, who was a hole down sank a 25-footer for a birdie for the two to move to the 18th.

He hit a massive driver, which he followed with a brilliant second shot to just about a foot to the green. Ciera, in the meantime, was about 120 yards off the green on two.

Ciera hit a superb third shot to about a foot, to halve the hole with birdies, to share the point with the Ugandan. A half a point was all Kenya needed to keep the Cup at home.

“As the captain I had to lead front the front. Although, I must admit, it was a tough match,” said Ciera.

EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE

“Both teams displayed an excellent performance, we have learned a lot from each other,” he added.

Before the Ciera match, Moi Lemoshira battled against Ugandan captain Adolf Muhumuza in a closely contested match, which ended at the 16th with Muhumuza winning 3-1.

“This was an excellent performance by my boys, despite the fact that seven of them were new in the team. Come next year or the East Africa Challenge  these boys will be better,” said Muhumuza, who said he was happy with the organisation of the event.

Earlier, Kenya’s Mike Kisia had won 1-up against Mahmood Ismail in a match which also ended at the 18th, while Dennis Maara beat Grace Kasango 6-5  and Neer Chandaria beat Adrine Okong 2-1.

In another match, John Gitonga had an easy outing, triumphing 8-7 against Ashraf Bagalana. However, Kenya’s two juniors Kibugu Mutahi and Agil Jamal lost 3-2 to Martin Ochaya and Ronald Rugumayo, respectively.

Both matches ended at the 16th, same as John Lijirmah, who was also beaten by Dennis Asaba a 3-2, despite firing in one at the par three-13th where his pitching wedge pitched just three inches from the hole.

The 2017 event will be played in Uganda at a course to be announced later. The Cup competed for on the Ryder Cup format was donated by former Boston Marathon champion Moses Tanui, now a handicap nine golfer.