Rugumayo bags Absa’s sh18m for the Magical Kenya Open

Uganda professional golfer Ronald Rugumayo will compete in this year’s Magical Kenya Open with a much more focused and settled mind after he landed a sh18m sponsorship from Absa Bank.

Michael Segwaya, the Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of the bank presented the package to Rugumayo who is going to vie for the sh6.8b prize money with over 150 different professionals from around the globe.

Apart from his cash, Absa has also preserved another sh130m for the ten amateurs and some of their golfing customers who excelled during the Absa-sponsored Pro-Am tournament that precedes the Uganda Open.  

These will participate and compete in the Magical Kenya Open Pro-Am tournament at Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi, on February 22 under the all-expenses paid trip.

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“First of all, I thank Absa for giving me this opportunity to represent the country at the Magical Kenya Open for the second time to represent the country at the Magical Kenya Open.

“Honestly, this time this year, this is a different Rugumayo than last year’s. Then, I didn’t have a manager, mental coach, or swing coach which I all have now.

And it is during last year that I played some of the most competitive golf in my career and what I can promise is that I’m going to give it my best and put up a phenomenal tournament,” Rugumayo said.

“In the past, we have all been playing and aiming at just ‘making the cut’ and I think that mindset has been limiting our potential. We shouldn’t just play to make the cut.

“So this year, me and my team are going out there to put up our best and produce a great performance. It is not only for us but for our country; for Absa, and the upcoming golfers,” Rugumayo stated.

Segwaya said they were once again excited as Absa for sponsoring the Ugandans again for the sixth time.

“It’s a great honour that once again we are back sponsoring amateurs and professional golfers for the Magical Kenya Open and we are looking forward to a great time,” Segwaya said.

“Last year we took several players on whom we spent sh90m. This year we have upped our game and are going to spend sh130m on both the amateurs and pros and a few of our customers who will be going to play in the MKO.

“It is a great moment for the country and for the golfing fraternity to be able to play in one of the major tournaments and as Absa, we are honoured to be part of this journey.

We are wishing all the players a great time and I want to thank all my colleagues for the effort and for the players for all they had to do to qualify, and for our professional Rugumayo we wish him all the best,” Segwaya stated.

Some of the amateurs that graced the function included Alex Mango, Bob Matsiko, Emma Tayebwa, Michael Koima Musiime, and Paul Habyarimana who all said they were looking forward to participating in the MKO and playing alongside proven professionals from around the world.