UGU honours partners, unearths new Uganda Open format

KAMPALA. Some leaderships are remembered by their marks of change or innovation.
And Uganda Golf Union (UGU) president Innocent Kihika wants to leave such marks in the game of swing.

On Thursday evening, UGU hosted key stakeholders majorly partners brands and sponsors to a dinner at Mestil Hostel following a successful year.
“To you all and potential sponsors for the game, there are many ways one can say thank you but we chose this,” Kihika said in his opening remarks following a cocktail and meal.
“The first time we did this was during the par-3 competition at Uganda Open in Entebbe but not all of you were there,”
“So we thought today would be the day where you’d meet each other, strike a deal and I hope this happens during the course of the evening or in the weeks to come.”

The dinner was bankrolled by AAR, Barclays, Britam, CBA, Ernest & Young, GEMS, Jumia, Kampala Casino, Minet, Roke Telecom, Time Cop Security and Nile Breweries’ brands Castle Lite and Budweiser.

Kihika’s administration has made some changes to the game, with the Uganda Open heading to Entebbe for the first time in five years.

Now UGU showcases sponsorship opportunities to the stakeholders by displaying the 2019 Union calendar that came with changes.

With the help of a PowerPoint presentation, UGU secretary Paul Baite announced amateur players will be graded with the introduction of an order of merit from the Union events.

Also, UGU will enter the Victoria Cup, Uganda Open and Entebbe Open tournaments into the World Amateur Golf Ranking series.
And Uganda’s flagship tournament will also have a new look.

The Uganda Open will be ushered in with a new countrywide showpiece dubbed the Castle Lite Back 9 that will be played at nine courses as a precursor for the 78th Amateur, 14th Pros and 68th Ladies Open tournaments next year.

Kihika further announced that Mary Louise Sumkins Memorial Golf Club, also known as Namulonge, was ushered in as a new member of UGU.