Serena Golf Resort to launch with 18-hole competition

Serena Hotels Country Manager Anthony Chege (right) makes a swing as Serena's Frankline Nyankundi (Left), UBL Head of Whisky Portfolio Annette Nakiyaga (2nd left), Serena Golf Club Captain Moses Masiko and Barclays Bank's Steven Odongo and Pather Kumaran look on. PHOTOS: Michael Nsubuga

The Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa will come to life on October 6, when it hosts its first 18-hole competition-the Serena Johnnie Walker Open on October 3-6.

Close to 200 golfers will descend on the championship course, the first of its kind around East Africa, designed by Golf Plus USA.

For sh25m, the professionals will be the first to have a feel of the course in a 54-hole, three-day competition before the main event on October 6.

Serena Hotels Country Manager Anthony Chege told a press conference at Kigo on Tuesday that Serena has been a great supporter of golf in Uganda and the region at large and called on golfers from within and outside the country to come and sample Uganda's finest golf course that is open daily.

"We hope with this massive investment Uganda will be able to host international tournaments such as the Sunshine tour. This private investment will profile Uganda strongly as a high class golf destination with the best course that meets international standards in terms of layout and grass texture," Chege stated.

L-R: Frankline Nyankundi Pather Kumar, Steven Odongo, Anthony Chege, Annette Nakiyaga and Allen Ampaire and Moses Masiko during the unveiling of the sh315m sponsorship towards the Serena Johnnie Walker Open on October 3-6, August 7 2018 

He said they were looking to staging one of the best golf tournaments and that there would be great prizes to win on the day in all men and ladies groups A-C and a Hole-in-One car prize courtesy of Victoria Motors.

Title sponsors Johnnie Walker and co-sponsors Barclays Bank and Serena Hotels yesterday unveiled a sh315m sponsorship with Head of Whisky Portfolio Annette Nakiyaga saying the brand embodies excellence and seeks out for the finest to celebrate success and inspires progress.

Barclays Bank Director Corporate and Investement Banking Steven Odongo said their relationship with Serena had enabled them to do many things including bringing the golf course to life and promised to sponsor bigger tournaments at the facility in future.

Moses Masiko, the captain of the club said golfers had already started practicing and that the course, the best in East Africa, is in fine shape to host the golfers and urged them to test the breathtaking views and unique greens on the course.

The press conference was also attended by Director, Barclays Bank Retail and Business Banking Kumaran Pather and Serena Hotel Country Sales and Marketing Manager Allen Ampaire and General Manager Frankline Nyankundi.