Singleton Challenge grows to Shs700 million

Defending champions Richard Lutwama and Robert Busingye doing their thing in Entebbe last year.

KAMPALA- The Entebbe Singleton Challenge is undoubtedly the country’s best clubhouse golf competition in the country.
Achieving that honour has not been a rollercoaster with a lot of work done to improve the aura of the game during this seven-month long tournament.

The 2020 edition will certainly seek new heights when a field of 120 players attempts to take the ultimate prize when it tees-off at the par-71 course in Entebbe on Saturday.

To maintain the tournament’s grand stage, platinum sponsors Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) under brand Singleton have upped their package with a Shs100m increment to Shs700m.

“I think we have some bragging rights and thanks to the sponsors,” remarked UBL’s Head of Luxury Portfolio Annette Nakiyaga during the press launch in Achwa Hall at Serena Hotel yesterday.

“Singleton has changed the game of golf,” she stated, drawing the impact that Singleton Challenge has brought to golf, particularly, the unmatched 19th hole experience since inception in 2017. Last year, Nakiyaga announced a double increment in sponsorship from Shs300m to Shs600m. It is steady progress!

“When Singleton happened, there is lifestyle, there is fresh air in the game. This championship is opening up and recruiting more in the game.”

“We fall under East Africa Breweries and now, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda are reaching out to us to do an East African event as all these countries are interested. So bigger things are expected,” added Nakiyaga. Like 2019 winners Richard Lutwama and Robert Busingye, the 2020 champions will travel courtesy of RwandAir to the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic tournament in UAE next January.

“We see it as an opportunity to give back to the golfers,” said RwandAir Country Manager Ivan Mugisha after announcing a total 12 air tickets for the overall and subsidiary winners to their desired destinations bar London, Mumbai and China.

Furthermore, the sponsors’ list maintains CBA Bank, DStv, Serena Hotels, Pinnacle Security, Street Club, Marsh and Victoria Motors who announced a Pajero Sport 2020 model offered for the hole-in-one prize.

UBL managing director Alvin Mbugua will officially launch this fourth edition on Saturday and golfers will experience the new Singleton 15 and 18 brands, according to Nakiyaga.

A field of 120 players in 60 pairings will jostle in the qualifying round whose 19th Hole prize giving ceremony is coded all-white wear and entertainment orchestrated by comedian Patrick Salvado.

“Entebbe is ready to host the fourth Singleton Challenge,” noted Entebbe captain Edwin Tumusiime. “We promise a great experience for players and revellers,” he added.

Thereafter, the best 32 pairings who advance will compete in the First Round on February 8, with rounds to follow March 14, May 9, and June 20 on knockout basis until the epic final on July 18. The professionals have a kitty of Shs15m.