257 golfers to take part in Kitante Open

Uganda Golf Club (UGC) president Innocent Kihika speaking to the press. PHOTOS: Yekoyada Saaka

Golfers from Kenya, Zambia Zimbabwe and Nigeria are expected to compete in the third edition of the Kitante Open that tees off on February 12.

Organisers are expecting  257 golfers who include 50 professionals, 42 gross and 165 subsidiary players for one of the biggest events on the golf calendar. Uganda's Philip Kasozi, Greg Snow, Dismus Indiza are some of the biggest names that have already confirmed participation.

Uganda Golf Club (UGC) president Innocent Kihika told a press conference during the launch of the tournament on Friday that the event is open to all golfers in East Africa and beyond.

"Last year, a decision was taken to spread the Safari tour to the rest of East Africa and we as Uganda Golf Union decided to jump on the bandwagon, so we added Kitante Open," Kihika said.

Kihika also believes that the inclusion of Kitante Open on the East Africa Safaris tour will increase competition because of the sheer number of elite golfers from the region that will take part.

 Kihika (L) wth officials and sponsors after the press conference

"The local golfers will not want foreigners to dominate them at their home turf and similarly the foreigners will want to make headlines in the foreign land," Kihika said.

Kitante Open will also help professionals to better their rankings ahead of the 2020 Kenya Open, which is also a European Tour qualifying event.

The tournament director David Sekitoleko thanked sponsors and members of the media for helping to uplift golf in the country

Among the tournament, sponsors are Tusker Lite, Pepsi, Pinnacle security limited, Sheraton Kampala Hotel, HTC hub Uganda, John walker, and Alsys East Africa Limited.


Kitante Golf Open schedule of activities

Tuesday, 11th Golf clinic

Wednesday, 12th Gross Players and Professionals Round 1

Thursday, Professionals Round 2 and Amateurs Round 2

Friday, Professionals Round 3 and Gross Amateurs Round 3

Longest Drive competitions

Prize giving ceremony for longest Drive competitions

Saturday, 14th Professionals Round 4 and Amateur subsidiary

Prize giving ceremony