Uganda Open: 64 pros, 11 Zambians register
L-R: AAR’s Trevor Ariho, Uganda Open tournament director, Rwamibazi and Sheraton’s David Ssekitoleko address the media at Kitante yesterday. Rwamibazi announced more sponsors for the upcoming tournament. Photo by JB Ssenkubuge
What you need to know:
Golf. Organisers want more numbers in the tournament.
KAMPALA. With 275 players already registered for the five-in-one Tusker Malt Uganda Open, one would think that the organisers are contented with the numbers.
But Tournament Director, Herbert Rwamibazi, wants more participants in what will arguably be the biggest golf show in the history of Uganda.
“This is going to be the biggest golfing party in Uganda. We don’t want anyone to miss out,” Rwamibazi said during a press conference at Uganda Golf Club (UGC) yesterday soon after announcing that the registration deadline had been pushed to July 7. The previous deadline had been set at June 30.
The confirmed entries indicate that 64 professionals have already paid the $100 (Shs330,000) registration fee each for the July 27-August 1 event that boasts a lucrative cash kitty of Shs100m. Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) Association has sent in 28 players, seven more than hosts Uganda. South Africa (6), Zimbabwe (3), Swaziland (2), Tanzania (2), Zambia (1) and Mauritius (1) also have representatives.
The field is not short of class, big names and tough customers, with South Africans; Jason Froneman and Michael Palmer, regulars on the Big Easy Tour, alongside Zambian Madalisto Muthiya all in the mix.
Although Tanzanian ladies are still struggling with sponsorship issues, the 54-hole Ladies Open, which gets the bonanza underway on July 15-18, still has the ingredients to be as competitive as ever, after 11 Zambians confirmed they will be in Kampala to fight for honours.
The brigade from Lusaka will be led by their lady president Mwoono Mwila and the national team quartet of Lornah Mwenda, Tina Nawa, Kaela Mulenga and Devanshi Naik, who recently won the East and Central All Africa Challenge Trophy in Malawi.
The 62nd edition has also received a big boost after passionate golfer John Katto announced that he will pay 50% entry fees for all upcountry ladies, who register for the championship.
Uganda open sponsors
UBL (Shs200m cash & Shs315m in kind)
Caesar Development Kingdom (Shs26m)
NBS Television (broadcast partner)
HTC Hub (phones and home theaters for side bet prizes)
Pinnacle Security (Shs6m, 10 guards per day & 10 Walkie-talkies)
Roke Telecom (Free Internet Access throughout the Open)
Etihad Airways (3 return air tickets to Abu Dhabi for Pro-Am, Ladies & Amateur Open winners)
Sheraton Hotel Kampala (Pro-Am & Amateur Open Prize Giving Dinners)
Le P’tit Quebec (Halfway house for Amateur Open on all four days)
AAR (Ambulance & nurses for the entire duration of the Open).
