Ugandan amateur golfers gain valuable insights at Magical Kenya Open Pro-Am

Ugandan amateur golfers who participated in the Magical Kenya Open Pro-Am tournament alongside established professionals picked up valuable tips to enhance their skills.

The five Ugandan players—Philemon Akatuhurira, Peace Hellen, Christopher Magezi, Apollo Segawa, and Anthony Agaba—qualified for the event through the Uganda Open-Absa Pro-Am tournament last year. They enjoyed an all-expenses-paid trip to Nairobi, where they interacted with and learned from top professionals worldwide.

Philemon Akatuhurira, who played alongside German pro Marcel Schneider, shared his experience:

“The round was amazing. I got a chance to see how the pros perform on the DP World Tour. I had a good round, and the results speak for themselves. I’ve learned how to approach the green better. My drives were strong, but I’ve struggled with approach shots. I picked up a few tips, and my chipping and approach game will improve. I’ll return to Uganda a better golfer.”

Anthony Agaba chips to the 9th green during the Pro-Am round at the Muthaiga Golf Club. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Anthony Agaba also benefited from professional advice, particularly from Malaysian pro Gavin Green, who helped him refine his swing.

“The round was great, and the format was interesting—we played off the best tee shot from any of us. We scored -19. The pro gave me tips on my backswing, which was a valuable lesson. I last played here seven years ago, but I hope my game will improve from here,” Agaba said.

Christopher Magezi, who scored 5-under for the day, highlighted the importance of using a driver for distance without excessive energy expenditure.

“The course is beautiful, with nice fairways and forgiving rough. I realized I need to use my driver more—this is a long course, and relying only on woods left me exhausted by the 15th hole. The pros also make mistakes, but they understand the game deeply. We need to train kids early; some of us started golf after 40, which isn’t ideal. The pro I played with, Brandon Wu, is only 28. Ugandans should introduce their children to sports early,” Magezi noted.

Peace Hellen, the only female participant, expressed her excitement about scoring her first par on the opening hole of the Muthaiga course.

Philemon Akatuhurira reacts to his putt during the Pro-Am round at the Muthaiga Golf Club. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

“We played well as a group. I got two birdies. The course is easier compared to Entebbe, but the greens are super-fast, so you have to stay calm. I played 85 gross and look forward to more events in Kenya. My team benefited from my driver five times. I’m grateful to the sponsors for this opportunity. My current index is 20, but I aim to become a single handicapper by year-end, targeting a handicap of 9,” Hellen said.

David Wandera, Managing Director of Absa Uganda, who also participated alongside French pro Joost Luiten, emphasized the event’s role in talent development.

“Our participation aims to develop sports talent and provide amateurs with a chance to play alongside world-class players. Our vision is to empower Africa’s tomorrow together, one story at a time. Through this tournament, we’re enabling people to create their own stories. We hope to see the Ugandan participants excel after this experience,” Wandera stated.

The Ugandan amateurs returned home with not only unforgettable memories but also practical insights to elevate their golfing careers.