UGC Ladies Open tees off with record sh39m prize fund

The 8th edition of the Uganda Golf Club (UGC) Ladies Open, which started on Monday and continues throughout the week, will be a celebration of golfers who embrace resilience, endurance, and perseverance. 

This is how the UGC lady captain Gloria Mbaguta described the five-in-one week-long action, which started on Monday with a caddies’ tournament won by Timothy Odoi (75 gross) and Joweria Namanda (82).

Action continued on Tuesday with the Sh20m prize money and 72-hole professional tournament, where Rodell Gaita took a one-stroke lead after returning 5-under 67 ahead of Ronald Rugumayo, who carded 68. 

In the men’s amateurs’ 54-hole championship event being played concurrently, Charles Mulyanga (70) also took a one-stroke lead ahead of Abdu Kakeeto.

On Tuesday, Mbaguta, who was in the company of UGC captain Brian Rwabwogo and lady golfers Hasifa Karungi, Evelyn Atukunda, and Wendy Angudeyo, unveiled a galaxy of sponsors that included Oryx Rubricants, Jubilee Insurance, MediCell, MTN MOMO, Embogo Lodges, Healing Hands, Expresso, Civil Aviation Authority, Kenya Airways, PGM, Case Hospital, and friends of the lady captain who have contributed cash and in-kind goodies that the different golfers will win. 

The Head of Retail at Oryx Energy in Uganda, Mark Muwanguzi, and the Manager of Marketing and Communication at Jubilee Insurance, Camilla Mindru, attended the event, with Muwanguzi saying their involvement was about fueling potential. 

“At Oryx Energy, we believe energy isn't just about fueling vehicles or powering homes; it’s about fueling potential. And through the week, we will see that potential right here on the course. In every lady and gentleman as well, competing, leading, and inspiring the next generation,” Muwanguzi said.

“We chose to support this tournament because ladies' golf in Uganda is growing, and it deserves the spotlight, the resources, and the backing. We believe that sports teach discipline, confidence, and teamwork. The same values we build our businesses on every day.”

Rwabwogo thanked the media for helping shine a bigger spotlight on the game.

“As you can see, the coverage you’re giving us will take this beyond the fairways of Uganda Golf Club and show people what the Uganda Ladies golf fraternity is all about. Over the past eight years, this tournament has kept growing steadily, and I especially want to thank our sponsors, who have consistently supported us,” Rwabwogo said.

“I also want to thank our club staff, the greenkeepers, and everyone else involved. I hope the game of golf continues to grow, especially for the ladies, so that each year we can make this tournament bigger and better, raise more awareness, and keep building on what we’ve started. I also want to keep stressing that the ladies, and all of us, need the support of our sponsors, and I truly can’t thank them enough for everything they have done for us.”

About 60 lady elite amateurs (handicap 18 and below) in the silver category playing for sh11m over 54 holes will join the fray on Thursday before those in the bronze category (handicap 19-36) join them on Friday for a 36-hole contest and before the subsidiary event encompassing the other categories like the juniors and seniors, among others.

Fifteen ladies will partake of the sh11m kitty while the caddies played for sh2m. There is a total prize money of sh39m spread across all categories. The ladies will follow a dress code of green and white in the opening round and are encouraged to be creative on Friday, while they will all wear the tournament T-shirts on Saturday.

Caddies’ results

Timothy Odoi 75gross

Bazil Atinoi 76

Nett players

Saleri Mbusa 68

Andrew Mwebaza 69

Ladies

Joweria Namanda 82c/b

Hadijah Nampijja 82

Nett players

Sarah Ainembabazi 61

Rebecca Muwanguzi 70

Pros-Rd-1 Top 3

Rodell Gaita 67

Ronald Rugumayo 68

Marvin Kibirige 70

Amateurs-Rd-1 Top 3

Charles Mulyanga 70

Abdu Kakeeto 71

Juma Abiti 72