Inaugural MTN Pro Tee Series kicks off June 16 as Ugandan pros eye bigger prize money

Uganda’s professional golfers have received a major boost following the launch of the MTN Pro Tee Series, a new tournament aimed at increasing competition and raising standards within the sport.

The quarterly tournament is open to all 62 registered professional golfers in the country and has been welcomed enthusiastically by players and officials alike.

The new competition further strengthens the three-year partnership between Entebbe Golf Club and MTN Uganda. Over the past three years, the telecommunications company has sponsored the monthly MTN Tee competition for amateur golfers at the club.

The inaugural MTN Pro Tee Series is scheduled for June 16–19 at the par-71 Entebbe Golf Course, where professionals will compete over 72 holes across four days.

The professional event will culminate alongside the ongoing MTN Quarterly Tee tournament for amateurs, which has been successfully running for the past three years under the partnership.

Entebbe Golf Club captain Serwano Walusimbi welcomed the initiative and expressed excitement about the new competition, which will be held in June, September, and December.

"Amateurs play for awards while professionals play for prize money. The first tournament this month will have a prize kitty of sh15m. In September and December, the professionals will compete for sh20m and sh30m respectively," said Walusimbi.

He noted that the initiative is intended to foster regular competition among professional golfers and provide them with more opportunities to sharpen their skills.

Uganda Professional Golfers Association (UPGA) chairman Davis Kato thanked MTN Uganda and Entebbe Golf Club for introducing the tournament, saying it would significantly increase competition frequency and improve standards among local professionals.

"We previously had only about four competitions a year, but we are delighted that the country’s biggest sponsor has come on board. This initiative has also increased the number of professional golfers in Uganda from 60 to 62," said Kato.

He called upon golf enthusiasts to turn up and witness the country’s top professionals showcase their skills on the course.

MTN Enterprise Segment Manager Justine Icabala Ziraba said the company is committed to supporting the growth of professional golf in Uganda.

"We have supported amateur golf for three years. It is now time to develop professional golf and help our players compete effectively at the international level through enhanced prize money and competitive opportunities," she said.

UPGA trustee Innocent Kihika revealed that 40 golfers had already registered for the tournament. He added that only players who make the cut after the first two rounds will share in the prize fund.

The introduction of the MTN Pro Tee Series is expected to provide a significant platform for professional golfers as they prepare for major local and international tournaments, including the Uganda Open.