Uganda Golf Open promises thrills after sponsors commit to its success

Uganda professional golfers will have no excuses for not winning this year’s Tusker Malt Uganda Open after they were given free training access at the Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa, the venue for this year’s event.

The head of golf at the facility Theodor van Rooyen said they have allowed the Ugandan professionals to play and train for free on the course up to four times a week ahead of their event, October 25-29.

But the event starts with the Ladies Open, October 6-8 following a junior’s event held on Saturday.

“I can see they are determined and we wish them the best. We are excited to host the event and from the hotel to the course, we are going to ensure that everyone enjoys and celebrates this wonderful and world-class facility,” Van Rooyen stated during the launch of this year’s four-in-one event that starts with Ladies Open on October 6-8, on Thursday.

Herbert Olowo of Absa tees off the Uganda Open at the Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

During the launch Daniel Kalungi, the Division Sales Manager at UBL the title sponsor of the event unveiled a sh600m sponsorship towards this event which will attract golfers from within and outside the country.

Of this, sh100m is a prize kitty for the professionals including Ugandans who he hoped will this time put on a good show and win the money.

“With a little bit of training on the course and home advantage, we hope they can win it. We hope to provide the best experience because we are going to set up a ‘village’ where the golfers will be able to be entertained as they wind down after every round,” Kalungi said.

“Tusker Malt is brewed for the finest and there is no doubt that golf is the finest sport out there. We intend to invite more people into the game of golf and our hospitality village will double as an entertainment zone for the players and also for anyone interested in golf to interact and learn more about the game.

Daniel Kalungi, Division Sales Manager at UBL addresses the press about the Uganda Open

“As Tusker Malt, we are about pioneering achievement and success and as such, we are proudly associated with a tournament that represents the same,” he stated.

Absa Bank’s Herbert Olowa said they had also committed over sh200m to the event, with sh85m million geared towards the Uganda Open Pro-Am tournament, sh50m towards the cash prizes, and sh65m towards the Magical Kenya Open Pro-Am tournament.

He said their purpose as a Pan African bank is firm in the belief that ‘the steady and consistent approach to all that we do can leave a positive impact on our nation and our continent’.

“We continue to do this because we are committed to the growth of the sport of golf in this country. We are also committed to supporting the talented players in this country and we continue to dedicate time and effort to improve the game this is a commitment that Absa Bank has made.

“We also look forward to a lot of opportunities during the open to interact with our customers and build associations and bring possibilities to their lives,” Olowo stated.

Jackson Were, the UGU vice president said the Uganda Open is one of the Safari Tour events which allow Uganda to market itself to the outside world because of the world-class and well-prepared golf course.

Uganda Ladies Golf Union president Anne Abeja thanked the sponsors for ensuring support for the event on an annual basis and said that over 100 ladies will compete in the 72nd edition of the event including ladies from Kenya and Zimbabwe. She said more ladies will subscribe to this year’s event from as far as Zimbabwe and Kenya.

The other co-sponsors of the event also promised their commitment to the event with Next Media’s Joe Kigozi promising to hype the event on their platforms while Pepsi Cola’s Jemeima Akatekit said as long-term partners of golf they would provide all the refreshments and drinks on the course and hailed the great partnership they have with the other sponsors and wished the players the best of luck.

Nancy Nirere from Real Estate developers HK Properties said they were in to show love to the golfers most of whom are their clientele.

The event starts with the Ladies open October 6-8, before the Seniors open October 14-15, and before the main event; the Amateur Open 18-22, before the professionals' event on October 25-29 which starts with a Pro-Am event on October 25th.

The event is co-sponsored by Absa, Pepsi, NBS Sport, HK Properties, HTC Hub, and Case Hospital.