Nsubuga claims victory at SAS Championship HBCU Invitational in the US

Ugandan golfer Godfrey Nsubuga shot 4-under 137 over 36 holes to win the men’s Division II individual title at the SAS Championship HBCU Invitational, held at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, North Carolina, on October 18.

After winning the 2023 Uganda Open, Lugazi Hills Golf and Country Club's Nsubuga moved to the US to study at Winston-Salem State University. Since then, he has delivered strong performances in several US collegiate golf tournaments.

In August 2024, Nsubuga became the first Ugandan to compete in the U.S. Amateur Golf Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota. That month he achieved his best-ever world ranking as a Ugandan golfer, with four wins and 16 top-ten finishes during the 2023-2024 season.

With a ranking of 205, he became the highest-ranked Ugandan golfer and the first to reach that milestone.

The SAS Championship HBCU Invitational returned for its fifth year at Prestonwood Country Club, bringing together teams from top Historically Black Colleges and Universities to compete alongside the PGA Tour Champions event.

“It’s a blessing, a testament of patience and hard work. I’ve come shot many times and finally made it,” Nsubuga said.

“It’s been ups and downs since I came here, but with the support of friends, teammates, mentors, and the university, I’ve been able to adjust and make it feel at home.

“I’m fully adjusting now except for the changing weather, wind, and rain. The exposure has made me learn from the best and also make adjustments. I’ve learned more patience in my game and game planning to be able to make right decisions on the golf course."

Fijian professional golfer Vijay Singh, 63, became one of the oldest winners in PGA Tour Champions history with his sixth senior title and first victory since 2023 and met Nsubuga after the championship.

Nsubuga recorded rounds of 71 and 66 for a 4-under137 total, closing with an impressive 66 to secure the title. Uganda’s ambassador to the US, Robbie Kakonge, witnessed his victory.

Kakonge hailed Nsubuga’s success as an important moment for Ugandan sports. “Nsubuga’s victory highlights the growing presence of Ugandan athletes in American collegiate sports and the opportunities available through educational and sporting partnerships,” she noted.

Nsubuga’s performance also boosts Uganda’s profile in golf, a sport with growing potential to strengthen the country’s international sporting reputation and tourism sector.

Kakonge’s presence at the event underscored sports diplomacy's role in strengthening ties between Uganda and the United States, particularly through educational partnerships and opportunities for young athletes.

The golfer’s success inspires aspiring Ugandan players seeking to combine academic pursuits with competitive sport abroad.

“Through initiatives linking education, sport, and international engagement, Ugandan athletes such as Nsubuga continue to demonstrate the potential of sports to open doors and strengthen relations between countries,” Kakonge stated.

Nsubuga is one of several Ugandan students who have earned advanced education through golf scholarships at US colleges, including at the Livingstone College. Others include Ibrahim Aliga and Denis Asaba, who graduated in May, as well as Michael Alunga, Christopher Baguma, Emmanuel Adrabo, and Edrine Okong. They have continued the legacy started by earlier graduates like Ronald Otile, Daniel Baguma, Titus Okwong, Joel Basalaine, and Emmanuel Jakisa. These Ugandan golfers have helped their colleges win many team and individual awards while also focusing on their studies.

Nsubuga attends Winston-Salem State University, one of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the United States. These institutions have played a key role in expanding access to higher education and competitive sports.