Golfers launch Nkata memorial
Sep 19, 2006
DAN Nkata, a former Entebbe club captain and key figure in re-designing the country’s oldest golf course, will be honoured with a tournament on Saturday.
By William Muwonge
DAN Nkata, a former Entebbe club captain and key figure in re-designing the country’s oldest golf course, will be honoured with a tournament on Saturday.
Some of the country’s best golfers will battle at the 18-hole course for the inaugural Dan Nkata memorial tournament title (far right).
Club captain Chris Rutebarika, said over 100 golfers around the country will honour Nkata whose association with the club stretched to over 40 years.
“Nkata deserves this honour, he was behind many activities at the club,†Rutebarika explained.
“There are plans to hold the event every year, discussions are going on.â€
Nkata’s widow Victoria will preside over the official tee off at 9am. But action will start at 7am.
Nkata, 72, died in 2004, a year after his last major project saw the course, inaugurated in 1904, transformed to 18 holes from 9.
The official, who had until that time, devoted his energies to designing courses, came up with a new idea.
Nkata (left) named each of the 18 holes after personalities involved in maintaining the course right from its early years and also features with historic attachment to the course.
Hole number one was named after Sir Harry Johnston, the head of the British administration behind the construction of the course in 1900.
Number 7 was named after Joshua Tuhumwire, the former club chairman who worked closely with Nkata to change the course to 18 holes.
The club then went a step further by naming hole number 18 after Nkata in an act of support for his efforts. The hole is now called Danny Nkata Munyigwawabbiri.
Nkata, one of the first Ugandans to play golf after the Kabaka of Buganda Sir Daudi Chwa, later served as secretary of Uganda Golf Union.
Nkata’s love for sports spread to football where he became the first Ugandan FIFA referee and to tennis.
DAN Nkata, a former Entebbe club captain and key figure in re-designing the country’s oldest golf course, will be honoured with a tournament on Saturday.
Some of the country’s best golfers will battle at the 18-hole course for the inaugural Dan Nkata memorial tournament title (far right).
Club captain Chris Rutebarika, said over 100 golfers around the country will honour Nkata whose association with the club stretched to over 40 years.
“Nkata deserves this honour, he was behind many activities at the club,†Rutebarika explained.
“There are plans to hold the event every year, discussions are going on.â€
Nkata’s widow Victoria will preside over the official tee off at 9am. But action will start at 7am.
Nkata, 72, died in 2004, a year after his last major project saw the course, inaugurated in 1904, transformed to 18 holes from 9.
The official, who had until that time, devoted his energies to designing courses, came up with a new idea.
Nkata (left) named each of the 18 holes after personalities involved in maintaining the course right from its early years and also features with historic attachment to the course.
Hole number one was named after Sir Harry Johnston, the head of the British administration behind the construction of the course in 1900.
Number 7 was named after Joshua Tuhumwire, the former club chairman who worked closely with Nkata to change the course to 18 holes.
The club then went a step further by naming hole number 18 after Nkata in an act of support for his efforts. The hole is now called Danny Nkata Munyigwawabbiri.
Nkata, one of the first Ugandans to play golf after the Kabaka of Buganda Sir Daudi Chwa, later served as secretary of Uganda Golf Union.
Nkata’s love for sports spread to football where he became the first Ugandan FIFA referee and to tennis.