Rwanda’s Nsanzuwera wins Uganda Open Pro-Am tournament

Rwanda’s professional golfer Celestin Nsanzuwera got a good head start ahead of the competition after he carded 43 Stableford points to win the Absa Pro-Am tournament at Entebbe Club on Tuesday.

Playing under the Johnnie Walker-4 team, Nsanzuwera carded 43 Stableford points to walk away with a sh3.5m cheque with other team members (amateurs); Milton Ocen, Denis Mujuni and Oscar Semweya walking away with trophies and goodies courtesy of the sponsors.

Uganda’s Vincent Byamukama playing under the Johnnie Walker-1 team also picked up sh2.5m cash, having combined with amateurs; Peace Hellen, Alexander Matsiko, and Jovia Tugume for a total of 109 points.

Absa bank Chief Finance Officer Michael Segwaya (center-front) and UGU president Jackson Were (right) pose with the top players from the Pro-Am after the tournament at Entebbe Club. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Zimbabwean Nyasha Muyambo was also boosted with sh2m having inspired Case Medical Services-1 which was comprised of Henry Ssali, Adoch Luwum, and Paul Habyarima to a third-place finish in the one-day event that was a precursor to the sh150m Johnnie Walker Professionals Open that teed-off yesterday.

The Pro-Am gives amateurs a chance to play alongside the professionals and learn a few tricks from them which they can use to improve their game while the professionals use it as a practice round before their main event.

But as is tradition, Absa will sponsor the top five professionals and the top five amateurs from the event to next year’s Magical Kenya Open (MKO) if they (professionals) qualify for the event through the Safari Tour for which the Uganda Open was the opening event.

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa (center) poses with Absa bank MD Mumba Kalifungwa (left), UGU president Jackson Were (right) and golfers Sarah Nduhukire and John Basabose (2nd right) during the Pro-Am tournament at Entebbe Club. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

The top five professionals who must now fight for the all-expense paid offer include Nsazuwera, Ugandans Ronald Rugumayo and Silver Opio as well as Kenyans Greg Snow and Njoroge Kibugu while the top five amateurs who have already booked their slots include Philemon Akatuhurira, Ronald Pulle, Peace Hellen, Christopher Magezi and Apollo Segawa who carded 42, 41 and 40 points respectively in the Pro-Am.

Those on the waiting list in case the professionals don’t qualify include Anthony Agaba, Joshua Odong, Henry Ssali, Peter Kisembo, and Ernest Wasake.

The bank’s Chief Finance Officer Michael Segwaya, Treasury Director Peter Mboowa and UGU officials’ president Jackson Were, secretary Fred Magala and treasurer Annette Kiconco crowned the top players of the day on the colourful ‘19th hole’ that was spiced up with live music by Michael Ouma and the Band.

Segwaya commended the UGU for their dedication and commitment to having this tournament.

Absa bank Managing Director Mumba Kalifungwa (left), UGU president Jackson Were and the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa (right) share a light moment during the Pro-Am tournament . Photo by Michael Nsubuga

“Our continued support is driven by the desire and the force for the good of the sport to believe that the story of the sport will come to light,” Segwaya noted.

“We take this time to bond and connect with our customers, with the community, and ensure that we are driving that bond together. We intend to write another story in golf,”

He noted that the numbers participating in the Pro-Am had increased and he said that he hopes that many other golfers can emulate what Ronald Rugumayo did because they still have that linkage with the MKO.

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa and Absa Managing Director Mumba Kalifungwa also competed in the event with the former saying he was excited about the growth of the game with all classes of people competing. He was looking forward to learning more from the professionals on how he could improve his short game and composure.

“Golf is a game changer and I’m looking forward to the time when we shall be able to host a DP World Tour event and we can host many people from around the world which will boost our tourism so much,” Tayebwa noted.

On his part, Kalifungwa said the sport resonates well with their objectives of being a force for good and will continue to have a relationship with the UGU because they see value in it.

“We congratulate the union for hosting this event and choosing to partner with the various sponsors. What we look forward to is the development of the sport and seeing our professionals make it at the highest level,”  Kalifungwa stated.