The 10 golfers from Uganda who will be taking part in the Pro-Am event of the 2024 Magical Kenya Open were on Wednesday flagged off during a ceremony at Absa Bank Uganda – which is sponsoring the entire contingent’s participation in the prestigious tournament – happening next week from 21st to 25th February at the Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi, Kenya.
The team of 1 professional and 9 amateurs emerged as the best performers during the Absa-sponsored Pro-Am tournament of the 2023 Uganda Golf Open. The bank will cater for the flights and accommodation of the qualifying amateurs and some of its clients, while the professional will receive a total contribution of USD 4,745 to cover his early travel to Kenya for practice and participate in the full tournament programme.
Speaking during the ceremony, Michael Segwaya, Absa Bank Uganda’s Executive Director, said, “We are proud of the many accomplishments made by Uganda’s golf community as our players continue to demonstrate Uganda’s golf potential on the world stage. We are once again honoured to support their professional growth as part of our commitment to the advancement of the game of golf in Uganda in line with our purpose – which is to empower Africa’s tomorrow together, one story at a time.”
The total amount Absa Uganda will spend on this year’s Magical Kenya Experience is UGX 130m.
The golfers include: Michael K. Musiime, Paul Habyarimana, Ivan Arinaitwe, Patricia Mbabazi, Emma Tayebwa, Wendy Angu’deyo, Michael Tumusiime, Alex Mango, and Bob Matsiko. The amateurs will play on 21 February 2024 at the Pro-Am, while Ronald Rugumayo – the only professional golfer in the group – will play in the men’s professional tournament from 22 till 25 February 2024.
Rugumayo is qualifying for the tournament for the second year in a row and is set to depart for Nairobi to commence his practice rounds on 14 February 2024, and the rest of the team will join him on 21 February 2024 at the Pro-Am. He qualified for the Magical Kenya after posting a stellar performance in the just-concluded Safari Tour at the Karen Golf Club in Nairobi last week – bringing him to a total of 112 points after completing four out of the six tournaments in the tour.
While addressing the press during the briefing, Rugumayo expressed optimism for his performance in this year’s Magical Kenya Open and appreciated the bank for once again covering his and the rest of the contingent’s participation costs.
“I am very much looking forward to this year’s tournament as I have taken this last year to perfect my game so as to represent Uganda to the best of my ability. Once again, I appreciate Absa Bank Uganda for coming forward to support both myself and the other players, and we are excited for the opportunity to give it our best and make the nation proud,” he said.
This will be the sixth time Absa Uganda will be taking part in the Magical Kenya Open Pro-Am. Last year, the bank sponsored a contingent of 10 players to participate in the 2023 Magical Kenya Open with a UGX 90,000,000 sponsorship package – which covered the players’ accommodation and meals; transport; tournament entry fees; caddy fees and golf merchandise.
