Event: Tusker Malt Uganda Open Golf Championship 2020
Time (Dates): 26th November – 6th December 2020.
Venue: Uganda Golf Club, Kitante
The 2020 Uganda Open Golf Championship was officially launched on Thursday, 19th November 2020 at the Uganda Golf Club (UGC) terrace in Kitante.
The annual event was initially meant to tee-off in late August running till September this year but COVID-19 happened, becoming a damper on all our plans. The event will now happen between 26th November – 6th December 2020 at UGC’s par-72 course in Kitante, marking a return to its fabled home following a two-year hiatus. The event was previously held at Entebbe Club and Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa.
Speaking to the media during the press brief at UGC, UBL representative Annette Nakiyaga emphasised the brand’s commitment to golf, promising a stimulating run of events as they return to the mix as anchor sponsors since the 2017 Open.
“We are delighted and greatly honored to be part of this event once again. At Tusker Malt, we set the benchmark for quality and achievement and we are once again honoured to be a part of a tournament that represents the same,” said Nakiyaga.
UBL has injected 100 Million Shillings in the tournament for Pro kitty and 50 Million Shillings in kind.
The Uganda Golf Union (UGU) President Moses Matsiko said the major focus this year is adherence to SOPs to avert the spread of COVID-19. “This is the first major golfing event since COVID-19 broke out we are hoping that our event will be a benchmark for other sporting disciplines. 360 players are registered for the tournament so far.”
Tournament Director John Katto emphasised that this year’s format of play will be a little different, with no cuts for the ladies and a pro kitty totalling up to Shs100m that is set to be split between 30 professional golfers (who make the cut) who will be awarded according to merit. The winner will take 22.5 % of the pro-kitty and the remainder of the players will share 77.5 % of the prize money in ascending order.
He said the tournament has attracted several international players coming in from different countries all over the world including 78 professionals, 1 from South Africa, 3 from Nigeria, 1 from Senegal, 1 from Zimbabwe 10, Cameroon 5, France 2, Cote D`Ivoire, Ghana 1, Malawi 1 and Zambia 3.
Katto, also UGU Vice President added that a few regulated spectators will be allowed to follow proceedings on the course and the rest will follow the event on various online platforms.
The tournament will end with a prize-giving cocktail on Sunday, December 6 at the UGC 19th hole.
The Ladies Open will tee-off first running between 26th to 28th November.
The championship main event which is the men’s amateur event, the oldest category (marking its 79th staging) in the Open is in two categories, that is; Amateur gross which will run between 1st to 4th December and the Amateur Subsidiary slated for 5th and 6th December.
The Professionals (pros) will be in action between 3rd and 6th December.
The tournament sponsors are; Tusker Malt Lager (main sponsor), Next Media, Master Power, Pinnacle Security, Pepsi and Case Medicare (who will handle any COVID-19 issues and other health related matters).
2019 Uganda Open Winners:
Ladies: Martha Babirye (Uganda)
Amateurs: Daniel Nduva (Kenya)
Pros: Muthiya Madalitso (Zambia)
