UGC launch Kitante Open Golf championships

A lucky golfer could drive away in a brand new KIA Sorento SUV, which is the prize for a hole-in-one, on Hole-No.11, as the inaugural edition of the Kitante Open tees off January 26-27.

The medal format of play tournament follows the tradition of most golfing clubs in the country that have similar tournaments.

Enthusiastic golfers have already registered for the tournament and are eagerly waiting to land their hands on the inaugural championship trophy, which is open to all golfers from across the country.

Over 80 players from various clubs had by Tuesday registered for the two-day competition that is expected to attract a full house.

"We have not yet had an open tournament for Uganda Golf Club, so in our history this is the first, which is open to all members of the golfing fraternity, who play golf and are registered with clubs that subscribe with the Uganda Golf Union," Joseph Bagabo, captain UGC told a press conference during the launch yesterday.

"We have brought on board very exciting sponsors with Airtel as the key sponsor, KIA, Liberty Life Assurance, Bollore Logistics and Pepsi and we are going to have exciting time and  provide fun, entertainment and golf to the fraternity," Bagabo stated.

Airtel has offered sh10m, while the other sponsors have come up with trophies and goodies for the various winners on the day including one for a junior player.

Arthur Kiwanuka, the UGC competitions secretary said apart from the monthly mugs tournaments all other clubs had their opens the reason they had started up one which will bring the golfing fraternity together.

Airtel Brand and Communications manager, Remmy Kisakye said Airtel had come on board to support the inaugural edition to support the development of upcoming golfers and the sport in general.

Lilian Akol, the Corporate Affairs manager at Liberty said they were involved to show case some of their new products and also give back to their customers while Motor Center's (KIA) representative Barbara Kembabazi said their KIA brand is known for supporting sports worldwide but also that the tournament offers golfers to test KIA's concept of the power to surprise and also experience their products.