The Social Golfer‘s Ian Mullins recounts a recent trip to Uganda, where he travelled to the city of Fort Portal to meet and chat to the oldest golfer in Africa, Emmuanual Basaliza
At 98 years old, former Toro Western Open champion Emmuanual Basaliza is already a legend in his own country. However, as he demonstrated, he has not given up the game just yet and he still plays golf every day on the putting geen he built at his home.
It was only a few years after the first world war, in 1925, that Razaro Rusoke Rwetumbura Adyeeri and Maria Ekyenda Ekuhaire welcomed their new son in the world. He was later schooled at St Peter and Paul Primary School, Virika (Primary), St Leo’s College Kyegobe (O-Level) and St Mary’s College Kisubi (A-Level).
At this point in time, he knew nothing of his future within the game of golf. At an early age he had set his sights on becoming a Veterinary Officer, which he later achieved. But it was around this time that the colonial masters of the then British Protectorate, had started to play golf in the region. They had already constructed the Toro Golf Club near Bukwali on Kampala Road, but It was exclusively for whites.
“The first time I noticed people playing golf was when I was nine years old,” said Emmuanual. “I was fascinated by a group of old men hitting a white ball. I made it a habit of taking my father’s herd of goats to graze near the golf course where I would hide from the Europeans as I watched them play.
“Eventually, I started finding and keeping the golf balls. I would then hide in the bush and start playing with a stick, as I had no club. Little did I know that this curiosity would be such a big part of my life. My youthful play on the golf course and desire to win earned me the nickname Mzee Kijana.”
He added “I was inspired to play golf because all the people who were playing the game at that time were respectable and classy. Toro Golf Club was a reserve for “Members Only” who were men and women of status. So, I made it my priority in life to work hard to become a member!”
BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS
In 1962, after Uganda got Independence, the club started accepting Ugandans, but only civil servants and successful business people who could afford to buy clubs. And of course, as it is today, Golf equipment was extremely expensive.
In 1963, he started playing at the club by befriending some members. He bought 11 clubs from a white man who was a tutor at Kichwamba Technical School for 3,000 shillings (60p in today’s money). The man also gave him a textbook which helped him to learn the rules of the game faster and he made sure he learnt that verbatim.
With the ambition of playing golf more regularly, he would need to become a member of the golf club, but one still had to be recommended by a current club member. New members had to go through a rigorous vetting process with many not meeting the criteria set out by the club standards and were denied membership. Luckily, he was one of the fortunate Ugandans to be accepted and in 1969, Basaliza officially joined Toro Golf Club as a full member after paying Shs. 4,000 (£0.80p).
He has been a continuous member of the club for more than 50 years and for more than 20 years, served as a trustee member of the club. In 2019, he was invited to be a Life Member of the Club.
WINNING STREAK
During his competitive golf career, Basaliza has won over 60 accolades from both national and international engagements.
He entered his first tournament, Kilembe Open, in 1973, when he finished second. His finish was particularly satisfying as he was almost exclusively playing against the more experienced white players.
In was his second golf tournament, in 1974 (the Toro Western Open Championship), when he tasted victory. Here he went up against Sadi Onito from Uganda Golf Club in Kampala who would become his biggest rival. He won!
To much acclaim, he also successfully defended his title the following year. But his second Championship was remembered for other reasons. It was during this event that he had his first hole-in-one. Later, he went on to play all courses in Uganda – currently there are still only eight full eighteen holes courses in the country – and others in Kenya and Sun City in South Africa.
He rates Sun City golf as the best but also the most difficult course. “The course has a lake in the middle, a hill, and a zoo. When you play the ball, if it goes into water or in the zoo, you cannot get it back – so you end up losing points.”
He has also represented the Ugandan National Golf Team in Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda.
His golfing accolades include: Toro Western Open Championship 1974, Western Open Championship 1975, ICAO Tournament 1994, Seniors Golf Day 2008, Western Open 2009, Seniors Golf Day 2014 and Tusker Malt Uganda Open 2015. His most recent trophy is from the 2019 Seniors New Year Golf.
LASTING LEGACY
Basaliza still plays and inspires others to enjoy the game today. Now living in Kiburara, Kabarole District, he is retired but plays golf every day with his grandchildren on the 12-hole putting green he built in his garden. In addition, he tends to his cattle and his coffee plants.
Throughout his life, he shared his experience and knowledge with many golf enthusiasts including friends and families. He has been greeted by Presidents and National Leaders and playing golf has made him many friends. Accordingly, it is important that he still receives much recognition from the public for his achievements.
He acquired a nickname along the way to – ‘Mzee Kijana’ – meaning ‘Old Youth.’ Well that certainly seem like a fitting nickname at 98 years old.
Recalling his younger days he commented: “That nickname did not come on a silver platter. It was through my hard work and by winning trophies. Golfers would fear me whenever they would see me on the course. I have maintained my winning record from 1974 to date”.
Ian Mullins writes: “What an inspiration! I would like to thank Basaliza for his time, and his candidness in answering all our questions and for inviting me to his house for Sunday lunch. I would also like to thank him for acting as our guest of honour at the Kids Par 3 event at the Toro Golf Club on January 26. He was an inspiration to all the young golfers, but insisted on telling them all the importance of integrity, punctuality and mutual respect for your competitors when playing the game.
“If his life proves anything, it is that golf can be both a catalyst for change (rejecting Apartheid), a lesson in life skills (strategy & problem solving) but most of all, how a passion for the game can transform lives, both yours and others. I only hope he achieves his life-long ambition of playing at St Andrews before we lose him forever.”