By Joshua Bacwa Abwooli.
The first academy In Tooro Region And Western Uganda on the 127th year old Tooro Golf club Fort Portal held a Their First graduation that was graced by the former Golf captain Ramesh Feroze.
The guest of honor Feroze lauded the management of AFRIYEA Golf academy for training the kids how to play golf because they are the next generation to replace the aging golfers in this country and he also emphasized on the golf etiquette. He Further asked to be an Ambassador of the academy and this was accepted by the management of the Academy and his Ambassador role will commence in January 2021.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Afriyea Golf Academy Isaiah Mwesige appreciated all the parents for trusting the Academy with their kids and promised to keep on supporting the students with all round knowledge i.e. golf, life skills and environment. Isaiah further asked the kids to maintain the good discipline, hard work and to stay in school. He believes by having the mentioned above principles will enable the kids to achieve there dreams.
Speaking on behalf of the parents, Abisemeza Zulaika, thanked the AFRIYEA Golf Academy in a special way for taking care of their children and for helping them to explore their other talents like leadership, other sports like tennis, dancing and not forgetting skills such tree planting and urban farming.
This Academy was founded by Isiah Mwesige in September 2020 in Fort Portal with an aim of helping especially the less privileged take part in learning how to play golf and become professionals.
AFRIYEA Golf Academy is the first of its kind whose objective is to equip youth and adults in all corners of Uganda aged 6-22 years with the primary skillset required to play golf.
The project was started in September 2020 with 30 students and in partnership with Toro Golf Club, AFRIYEA has set a step to use golf as a sport to mobilize the young generation to work as change agents in conserving the environment, mentioned CEO Isaiah Mwesige.
It is known that Toro Golf Club has produced the best Golf players not only locally here in Uganda but also in East and Central Africa, contributing to Uganda’s national team. This legendary club has facilitated the success of masters of golfing in East and Central Africa such as Mzee Kijana Emmanuel Basaliza, Phillip Kalyegira, Dr. Godfrey Kabagambe, Tom Prinsloo, Smart Bwango, Prof Edward Rugumayo, Stephen Kasaija, the former National team golf Coach George Kituku, Harrison Kasaija, Ronald Otile, Titus Okwong, Daniel Baguma, and professionals such as Adolf Muhumuza, Ronald Rugumayo, Lawrence Muhenda, Richard Baguma, Happy Robert, David Kamulindwa among others.
Afriyea Golf Academy is therefore set to rejuvenate Golf as a sport by running different golf sporting activities to not only create awareness about golfing as a sport but also train and promote young golfers since the great golfers of Toro golf club have committed themselves to participate in this youth training project to help the beginners learn the basic and professional skills of the game such as R&A golf rules, golf etiquette among others.
The Academy is built on a strong foundation of the great players of Uganda like Stephen kasaija who is the head coach of the academy, Stephen is a former national team player and the only coach who took the Uganda golf team to the world cup in Japan 2018, professional happy Robert, Adolf Muhumuza, David Kamulindwa, Andrew Mugume, Mackline Nsenga, Lillian koowe among others.
AFRIYEA has so far trained over 70 students in three months graduated its pioneer students who received the certificates after being accessed by the academy coaches,The students started with their tournament that had 47 participants and the best students in each category were given an opportunity to study for free in the next Semester.
Shalom Kayonga accompanied by his dad receiving his certificate.
Top Performers.
Age 4-6.
Winner: Bashil Atuhaire – Gross score 16 in 2 holes.
1st Runner Up:Destiny Rukuncha – Gross score 19 in 2 holes.
2nd Runners up: Jerimiah Murungi – Gross score 23 in 2 holes.
Age 7-9.
Winner: Reagan Asiimwe – Gross 21 in 4 holes.
1st Runner Up: Solomon Muhindo – Gross 25 in 4 holes.
2nd Runner Up: Mercy Ayebale – Gross 26 in 4 holes.
Age 10-13.
Winner: Shafic Mubarrak – Gross 41 in 6 holes.
1st Runner Up: Rovina Guma – Gross 45 in 6 holes.
2nd Runners: Kenneth Mwebesa – Gross 47 in 6 holes
14 and Above:
Winner: Edward Rubongoya – Gross 43 in 9 holes.
1st Runner Up: Ibrahim Babu – Gross 45 in 9 holes.
2nd Runner Up: Innocent Bunihizi – Gross 47 in 9 Holes.
