Namulonge Golf Open’s fourth edition returns with big rewards

Marylouis Simkins Memorial Golf Course Namulonge-bred golfers will have a chance to shine on their home course at the fourth edition of the Equity-NARO Golf Open, which returns with a cash prize of sh5m for the top amateurs, from November 7-9.

Defending champion Dominic Musoke, Miracle Agotre, and the in-form Abdallah Kakooza, all from Namulonge, will compete against several single handicappers, including Entebbe Open champion Titus Okwong and a host of national team players over 54 holes in the World Amateur Golf Ranking event. The top five performers will share the cash prize.

Namulonge’s professional golfers James Koto, Fred Nkuranga, Tom Jjingo, and Marvin Kibirige will also have a chance to compete for a share of the sh10m prize kitty from Equity Bank in the professional competition against other Ugandan pros over 36 holes. The professionals will play their 36 holes on Friday, November 8, while the top amateurs will start a day earlier, with those in the subsidiary event taking to the course on Saturday.

L-R: Namulonge Golf Club pro Fred Nkuranga, chairman Brian Aldomoro, Equity Bank Managing Director Anthony Kituuka, Trustee Gerald Museta, Captain Timothy Lwanga and Fakhruddin Properties Sales and Marketing Manager Suzan Adrabo, parade some of the trophies during the launch. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

During the event’s launch on Tuesday at Namulonge, Equity Bank Managing Director Anthony Kituuka unveiled a sh175m sponsorship towards the event and the club, stating that part of the money will help construct a decent halfway house on the course to improve the golfers’ experience.

“Namulonge is the cradle of golf, and many golfers have honed their skills here. As a bank, we want to ensure many people continue to enjoy this game. We will continue supporting this tournament and the club to beautify the course, which aligns with our core values as an organization aiming to champion the socio-economic prosperity of our people. We find a cause, we find partners, and we grow together,” Kituuka stated.

“We chose Namulonge because this is where golfers are bred, and we want the game to grow. We have sponsored about 35 of our staff who now play on this course. Golf is about discipline, passion, and consistency—qualities needed to survive in life. We want to encourage as many people as possible to join as we demystify this game while Namulonge grows alongside us,” he added.

“We also want to ensure the course is modified to make it more challenging, so we are here to ensure Namulonge develops and continues to grow.”

Club chairman Brian Aldomoro, flanked by tournament director Timothy Collins Lwanga, club pro Fred Nkuranga, and trustee Gerald Museta, thanked the sponsors for their contribution towards the annual event.

Lwanga said they expect about 120 golfers to compete in the three-day event, with the subsidiary playing under the stableford format.

The event is co-sponsored by NACCRI, Aquafina (Pepsi), and Fakhruddin Properties.