Ugandan professional golfer Silver Opio felt more encouraged ahead of the Tusker Malt Lager Uganda Professionals Open after topping the Absa Bank-sponsored Pro-AM tournament on Tuesday.

Playing under the Motorola-5 team that comprised amateur golfers Saleh Kalema, David Keegi, and Berna Musanabera Entebbe’s Opio returned 39 points as the amateurs contributed a combined 37 points to top the precursor to Uganda’s biggest golfing event.

For being on the winning team Opio picked sh3m cash as South African Joshua Seale who was on the runners-up team (UGU) that comprised Moses Matsiko, John Bosco Tumusiime, and John Byabagambi took home sh2.5m.

L-R: Harry Hakiza, Raymond Mugisha, Raymond Ekwamu and Edrine Wasike, the amateurs that won an all-expense paid trip the Magical Kenya Open next year pose with Absa Executive Director and Chief Finance Officer Michael Segwaya (center-back) after the Pro-Am tournament at the Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort, October 25, 2022. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Kenya’s Simon Ngige also had some of his bills catered for after he pocketed sh2.5m, having been on the NBS Sport-2 team that came third if also acted as a practice round for the professionals who on Wednesday started serious business chasing the sh100m prize money from which sh21m will go to the winner of the 72-hole-four-round competition that also kick-starts this year’s Safari Tour events.

The top ten golfers (5 amateurs and 5 pros) from the Pro-Am win themselves an all-expense paid trip to compete in next year’s Magical Kenya Open at Muthaiga Golf Club according to David Wandera the Executive Director, Head of Financial Markets at Absa Bank Uganda.

But the professionals can only enjoy Absa’s offer if they qualify for the lucrative event through the 8-12 Safari Tour ranking events that start with the Uganda Open; otherwise, the slots go to the other five amateurs among the top ten from Tuesday’s event.

"We are very proud of the growth that the Uganda Golf Open and the Pro-Am have registered over the years and take this opportunity to offer our support towards furthering the growth and development of the game in Uganda through opportunities that increase the players' skill and exposure like the Magical Kenya Open," Wandera stated.

The qualifying/qualified players will benefit from the bank's sh65m sponsorship package which will cover the players' travel, accommodation, and participating fees for the Pro-Am tournament of the Kenyan duel.

Absa Bank Retail Director Musa Jallow (left) hands over prizes to the UGU team of Joshua Seale, John Byabagambi and Matsiko after the Pro-Am tournament at the Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

The Pro-Am is a one-day tournament where Professional golfers are paired with Amateur golfers to give the professionals an extra practice round before the Professionals Open while improving the skills of amateur golfers within a competition situation.

This year, the bank sponsored the ten best Amateurs from the 2021 Absa Pro-Am for the Kenyan tournament, which was held from March, 3-6 at the Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi.

These included Colin Isaac Talemwa; Joseph Kimani; John Muchiri; Wendy Angudeyo; Joseph Adrapi; Patrick Kagoro; Walter Tukahirwa; Alexander Matsiko; Jenina Nasimolo, and Collin Subika, who joined the only Ugandan selected to participate in the prestigious tournament as a Pro – Ronald Rugumayo, part of whose costs for the duration of the tournament were met by the bank.

"We are a deeply Pan-African financial services provider. Our continued commitment to the game of golf is a testament to this continent's undeniable potential. We shall continue to play our part to bring Africa's possibilities to life."

Top ten amateurs

Andrew Arinaitwe 40pts

Harry Hakiza 40

Allan Mugisha 40

Raymond Ekwamu 39

Edrine Wasike 38

Wu Wei Ling 38

Aloysius Bingi 37

Wei Yon Chun 37

Herbert Kamuntu 37

Top five pros

Joshua Seale 41pts

Silver Opio 39

Robson Chinhoi 36

Simon Ngige 35

Celestine Nsanzuwera 35

Winning teams

Motorola-5 76pts

Silver Opio sh3m

Saleh Kalema

David Keegi

Berna Musanabera

UGU 75PTS

Joshua Seale sh2.5m

Moses Matsiko

J.B Tumusiime

John Byabagambi

NBS Sport-2 72pts

Simon Ngige sh2m

Ou Kaowen

Patricia Mbabazi

Rukia Nalwoga