Uganda Golf Open is back

Jul 11, 2016

The event is set for August 10-13 ahead of the Pro-Am on August 30 before the professional’s event August 31-September 3.

Ugandan golfers both in the amateur and professional categories have one month left to prepare for one the biggest competition they have ever faced at the Tusker Malt Uganda Open.

The event is set for August 10-13 ahead of the Pro-Am on August 30 before the professional's event August 31-September 3.

With defending champion Ronald Otile away for studies in South Africa, the onus will be on the rest of the Ugandans to step up against a strong field of competitors from around East Africa including 15 Kenyan national team golfers led by their captain Bo Ciera.

Other foreign competitors are expected from Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and Zambia in the main amateur event which will have a handicap limit of 0-6. The subsidiary event will have golfers of handicap 7-15 participating.

Addressing a press conference where sponsors Tusker Malt Lager unveiled a sh230m sponsorship for the event, Uganda Golf Union president Johnson Omolo said more quality participation is expected at this year's event.

 "We are grateful to East African Breweries and UBL for remaining a strong strategic partner in developing golf in this country. This year's sponsorship will offer our golfers a chance to demonstrate their skills against the best golfers in the region," Omolo said.

"For the professional open which will be held later we also expect a rich field as well with golfers from the Big Easy, MENA and Sunshine tours," Omolo stated.

Sponsorship to the UGU for the event has increased from sh200m last year to sh230m cash with another sh270m expected to cater for sponsorship kits including media, player uniforms, merchandise, and logistical elements for prize giving dinners among others.

Uganda Breweries Limited Managing Director Nyimpini Mabunda who unveiled the sponsorship said the sponsorship was a commitment to support the growth of the game in the country.

"I'm particularly excited that they are plans to improve the course to international standards so that we can host even bigger events and we shall definitely be part of that evolution,"

"The tournament gets bigger and better each year and we have increased our sponsorship to resonate with the status that the game of golf has attained. We are determined to continue making golf an essential part of social economic transformation and effective marketing that draws the attention of local and global communities to Uganda," Mabunda stated.

UGC Captain Anthony Kerali said by the time of the open the course will be up to international standards as work on the fairways and the greens is ongoing.
 

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