Former Uganda Ladies Golf Union (ULGU) President Anne Abeja and Vincent Katutsi emerged overall winners of the main event (amateur event) of the Absa Bank Captain’s Bell tournament that was held on Saturday at Uganda Golf Club in Kampala.
Abeja, also former Lady Captain at Uganda Golf Club shot a nett score of 69 to emerge the ladies’ overall winner while Katutsi posted a nett score of 66 to win the men’s category of the main event.
The winning duo each received a golf bag, two umbrellas, a trophy and other goodies from Absa Bank Uganda.
Every year, the Captain’s Bell Tournament is hosted by the Uganda Golf Club to officially usher in the club’s newly elected Captain and his committee. The 2023/24 committee is led by Emmanuel Wamala and his Vice-Captain Paul Fitzgerald Nuwagaba, who have been re-elected to lead the committee.
To symbolize the beginning of his new term in office, Emmanuel Wamala rang a bell, audibly enough for all those in attendance to hear.
The club captain is very grateful to Absa for the support and now looks forward to another tenure in office.
“We acknowledge and appreciate a very generous sponsorship from our esteemed sponsor Absa Bank, without them this event wouldn’t have been possible,” Wamala said before thanking other tournament’s partners.
“This is the time when we reflect upon the year (tenure in office) that has been and set the agenda for the next year. Looking back on the year that has passed, I’m filled with pride and gratitude for what we have achieved with Uganda Golf Club. I’m hopeful that we will achieve more in the second year,” Wamala noted.
Wamala also revealed that Uganda Golf Club will host this year’s Uganda Golf Open and as well celebrate 115 years of existence. After getting new members in the recent past, the club has promised to prioritize members’ welfare, promote golf and increase of membership.
Absa Bank Uganda’s Managing Director, Mumba Kalifungwa wished the club captain the very best in his new tenure in office.
“As the official banking sponsor, Absa Bank Uganda is proud to be associated with this tournament and to once again be a part of this competition and we hope to be part of this competitions for the next three years,” Kalifungwa said.
“By increasing the sponsorship budget from 57.8 Million last year to 133 Million this year, we are demonstrating our believe in Uganda Golf Club and the beautiful game of golf,” Kalifungwa noted adding that Absa Bank Uganda aims to empower Africa’s tomorrow, together, one story at a time and the game of golf is part of that story that they are creating as an institution.
“As we continue to collectively be part of the evolution of the game of golf, I appreciate each and every of the over 200 golfers that turned up for the Captain’s Bell tournament,” he added.
Meanwhile, Marvin Kibirige emerged champion in the professional category that teed-off two days earlier. After two rounds (Thursday and Friday), Kibirige shot an overall 6 under par 138 (63 & 75) to take the biggest chunk of UGX 10,000,000 kitty that the professionals were competing for.
However, in the main event, the famous Piga Mingi award was taken by Sylvia Bideri who shot a nett score of 102. She was rewarded at the 19th with the hopes that he game will get better in the near future.
For the side bets, the ladies’ nearest to the pin award was taken by Annette Kiconco while David Mureithi took the men’s award. Ladies’ longest drive award was won by Caroline Namutebi while Tarzan Lubega took the men’s gong.
In the seniors category, the winners were; Jennifer Opio (ladies) with 75 nett and former captain Jackson Karyarugookwe (men) with 71 nett.
The ladies group winners were; Group A – Mackline Nsenga with 72 c/b and Group B – Gertrude Kityo with 70 c/b.
In the men’s groups, Group A was won by Charles Mubiru off 68 nett, Group B was won by Abe Luka with 70 nett while Group C was won by Tushar Mashru with 69 nett.
