Ugandan amateur players who qualified to play in this year’s Magical Kenya Open (MKO) Pro-Am tournament cannot wait to swing in Nairobi following their flag-off to the event last Wednesday.

Nine Ugandans and professional golfer Ronald Rugumayo were flagged off to the event by Absa Bank’s Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer, Michael Segwaya, for which they qualified after excelling in the Absa Bank’s Pro-Am that preceded the Uganda Open last year.

The winning amateurs who are set to enjoy the all-expense paid trip include Alex Mango, Bob Matsiko, Emma Tayebwa, Michael Koima Musiime, Paul Habyarimana, Wendy Angudeyo, Ivan Arinaitwe, Patricia Mbabazi, and Michael Tumusiime, who are all looking forward to participating in the MKO and playing alongside proven professionals from around the world.

“The main expectation is the exposure we shall gain because we are going to play with international professionals, and it is always good to see how they conduct themselves on the course and in different situations. I’m sure most of us will come back as better players; even though it is a one-day event, I know we will learn a lot. I’m looking forward to the golf and the fun,” Habyarimana said.

The rest are also looking forward to enjoying the five-star treatment at the Kempinski Villa Rosa Hotel in Nairobi and the fun that will come with playing golf at both the Karen Golf Course and the Muthaiga Golf Courses.

“I’m going to play on the Kenyan course for the very first time, and it will be a good opportunity for me to test their courses starting with the Karen before we play Muthaiga, so I’m very optimistic and I hope to have a good game,” Matsiko said.

“My expectations are just to learn more about the game, to experience how it is played at that level, and to get a chance to rub shoulders with those professionals that will be playing in the main event. So I hope to learn, and I look forward to playing my first event there,” Musiime added.

For the sponsors, Absa, this is a continuation of their commitment to the growth of the game, as this is the sixth time they are doing it.

It is indeed a great honour that we are sponsoring the golfers once again. It is quite exciting that we are back at it. It is a great moment for the country to be participating in one of the major tournaments on the continent, and we are happy, and we wish all the players a great time,” Segwaya stated.