The highly anticipated 2015 Tusker Malt Uganda Golf Open has this morning teed off at the luscious grounds of the Uganda Golf Club, Kitante.
The event that has attracted a record number of participants will this year be played over a longer period time with officials promising a ‘golfing bonanza.’
Speaking during the official tee off, Mr. Nyimpini Mabunda, the Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) Managing Director stated that the restructured tournament to include other categories this year is a step in right direction and will help develop the sport.
“Having the entire golfing fraternity participate in a single golfing event will broaden the base of participants as well build the sport. As title sponsors, we are happy with the Uganda Golf Union for their efforts to popularise the game of golf,” he said.
Nyimpini also added, “The Union has always endeavoured to make the tournament bigger and better. Every year we get more satisfied with the outcome of our investment in the sport and we are working closely to come up with different ideas on how to take it to the next level.”
As the biggest golfing event on the Uganda golfing calendar teed off, the Tusker Malt Lager sponsored event has this year been restructured to include; Ladies, Seniors, Amateurs, Professionals and the Juniors.
Over 500 participants from 11 countries; Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Rwanda, Tanzania, Mauritius and host nation Uganda have confirmed their participation in the three week-long event.
In the professionals category, a record 69 professionals will swing it out for a share of the UGX 100m kitty staked by UBL. Professionals from the Sunshine Tour and the Big Easy Tour have also confirmed their participation. Organizers have promised that the event will exude premium quality all throughout.
The tournament tees off with the Ladies open, followed by the Seniors’Open on July 19 – 20. It will then be followed by the much anticipated Amateur Open from July 21 – 25, 2015. The competitive Professionals’ Open will be played from July 27 – August 1, 2015.
Uganda’s Deo Akope, the defending champion will be the one to beat in this year’s event but he will have stiff competition from fellow countrymen; Willy Kitata, fresh off a stint in the United States and recently turned profession as well as the ever green Dennis Anguyo. Last year’s runner up, Kenya’s Dismus Ndiza will add the spark to an already impressive lineup in the professionals’ category.
Michael Palmer from South Africa, with three tournaments already under his belt this year will also be looking to add the Tusker Malt Uganda Open to his collection.
On the ladies side, Flavia Namakula and Irene Nakalembe will both be hungry as ever for more success.The Juniors Open will cap off the Uganda Open on August 21, 2015.
And with the added premium touch from Uganda breweries; Tusker malt lager, perfection and precision will not be in short supply with lots of drinks, networking opportunities and competition on and off the green.