MUDANYI CONFIDENT KENYA CAN MAKE A HAT-TRICK OF VICTORIES AT VICTORIA CUP’S THIRD EDITION
President Uhuru Kenyatta hands over the National Flag to Junior Golfer Mutahi Kibugu ahead of the All Africa Junior Golf Challenge Tournament in Morocco at State House, Nairobi. Kibugu is part of team Kenya at the Victoria Cup competition.
By DANIELLA APIYO
Kenya’s Edwin Mudanyi is confident the team will win this year’s Victoria Cup golf tournament and make it three in a row as the high profile competition pitting hosts Kenya and neighbours Uganda tee off at the par 72 Vet Lab Golf Club on Thursday.
Mudanyi currently playing off scratch and a member of the nine-man Kenya national team, said the team is in good spirit and going by the low handicaps of the players, Uganda stood a slim chance of shocking the hosts.
“We have all that is needed to win the Victoria Cup for the third year in a row. Kenya won the first edition at Muthaiga Golf Club in 2016, then went ahead to win the second edition at Entebbe Golf Club last year and we are keen to continue with the trend this year,” said Mudanyi after a final practice session at the competition venue yesterday.
He added: “The course in a great shape at the moment, it’s a championship course. The fairway is a bit dry but good for play, the greens are fast, but we know how to navigate them, because we have been practicing on them for the last two weeks now.”
Mudanyi said the hosts has a slight advantage over the visitors, owing to the fact that they have a good knowledge of the course having practiced there in preparation of the event and that local fans support would be a morale boost for them.
Uganda who arrived in the country on Monday, have just had a feel of the course once before today’s action tee-off.
Multiple golfer of the year John Karichu of Limuru Country Club, who currently plays off handicap +1 will lead the team that consist of Mudanyi, South Africa based Daniel Nduva (+1), Vet Lab’s Mike Kisia (+2), Limuru’s Paul Muchangi (0), Royal’s Dennis Saikwa (0), def golfer Isaac Makhokha of Vet Lab (2) and junior golfers Agil Jamal of Nyali (1) and Muthaiga’s duo of Mutahi Kibugu (1) and Zubir Khan (3).
Uganda have a team of 10 players and will be captained by Becca Mwanja.
Action begin with four foursomes matches this morning, then four, four ball better ball matches in the afternoon.
On Saturday there will be subsidiary and singles.
Team Kenya:
Daniel Nduva (+1) (South Africa based)
Mike Kisia (+2) (Vet Lab)
Edwin Mudanyi (0) (Vet Lab)
Isaac Makhokha (2) (Vet Lab)
Dennis Saikwa (0) (Royal Nairobi Golf Club)
John Karichu (+1) (Limuru Club)
Paul Muchangi (0) (Limuru Club)
Agil Jamal (1) (Nyali Club)
Mutahi Kibugu (1) (Muthaiga Golf Club)
Zubir Khan (3) (Muthaiga Golf Club)
Uganda Players
1. Mwanja Becca – Captain
2. Muhumuza Adolf
3. Rugumayo Ronald
4. Mutebi Deco
5. Cwinyaai Joseph
6. Baguma Richard
7. Kamulindwa David
8. Gaita Rodel
9. Ainamani Abraham
10. Ochaya Martin
Officials
11. Kasaija Stephen – Coach
12. Matsiko Moses – Manager
- Kihika Innocent – UGU President