The Uganda Senior Golfing Society (USGS) will on Saturday, 12th December 2020 hold this year’s edition of the Seniors Open Golf Championship at Uganda Golf Club’s (UGC) par-72 course in Kitante.
The event was officially launched on Wednesday, 9th December by USGS and event anchor sponsors CAA (Uganda Civil Aviation Authority) at the UGC terrace.
CAA who have been sponsoring the event since its inception in 2016 have boosted this year’s Championship with Seven Million Shillings (7,000,000) though they had injected 25 Million Shillings into last year’s do.
“This year’s package has reduced due to the financial implications of COVID-19 on air transport,” CAA’s Manager Public Affairs, Vianney Luggya said.
“None the less, it’s a great pleasure to partner with USGS because this is a flagship event to celebrate Aviation Week. We chose to partner with golfers especially seniors because many of them are frequent fliers hence our customers so it’s an act of solidarity,” Luggya added.
CAA will also field four players for the event that is; Michael Tumusiime (handicap 3), Collin (h/14), Pual Kalemba (h/17) and Joseph Adrapi (h/17).
The Seniors Open Championship is primarily for players aged 55 years and above though ‘under age’ golfers will participate in a subsidiary event.
“Senior players will be in the main competition while those under 55 years will play in a subsidiary event,” USGS Chairman, Mark Ntege told the media.
“Unlike last year where we played for two days, the event will this time be played only in one day (Saturday) due to the current COVID-19 situation,” Ntege added.
About 40 seniors will be in action that day with subsidiaries expected to surpass that number by far to give the event a perfect feel of an old school, new school ‘remix.’
The event sponsors are; CAA, Uganda Airlines, Uganda Breweries Limited, Pepsi Cola and Tracker Safaris.
Mode of play is Medal and there will be prizes for Senior Men and Ladies plus subsidiary men and ladies.
Dr Alex Coutinho is defending champion after returning 146 nett but he beat Sam Byagagaire on count back.
Grace Kabonero was the Senior Ladies overall winner off 162 nett.
