Kato itching to play for cash during the Uganda Open

Despite not making the cut in the professionals' qualifier held last month in Kampala, Entebbe golfer David Kato is among the golfers who are set to make their debuts in Castle Lite Uganda Professional's Open, September 26 to 29.

Kato is one of eight golfers under probation from the Uganda Professionals Golf Association but is looking forward to impress and make some money off the sh182m kitty.

"After a long struggle as an amateur, I think I will play well as a pro because in the professionals, it is you and your game and there is money to fight for and it is money that we all work to get in life, so the need for money will bring the best out of me," Kato said.

"I am going to be on my home course; I am the course superintendent, so I know all the corners around this course, I know the speed of the greens, which is a great advantage for me, so I'm ready," Kato vowed.

Uganda professional golfers will face one of the biggest fields of foreign competitors at this year's tournament. By yesterday, 80 professionals had registered for the event.

Going by the number of entries so far registered, the Ugandans will have to work extra hard to partake on the sh182m prize money.

The winner of the Uganda Professionals Open will pocket sh41m with only the top 30 (plus ties) who make the cut after 36 holes, and finishing all the 72 holes getting a share of the rest of the prize money.

The professionals also have chance to make some extra cash (sh5m) in the Pro-Am that precedes their main event a day before, on September 25.

The pro's event is sponsored by Castle Lite, Serena Hotel, Barclays Bank, cba bank, Time Cop, Ernst & Young, Britam, Jumia, Gems Cambridge International School, Nation Media amd MINET.