Ugandan professional (pro) golfer Abbey Bagalana will be making his debut at the Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) Golf Open when the event’s 21st staging tees off today (Wednesday, 21st April 2021) at the par-72 Yamoussoukro Club’s course in the West African nation.
Bagalana who was invited for the four-day event by President of the Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) Golf Federation Kouakou Laussi Emmanuel Koffi will be the only Ugandan at the meet but believes that he will return good scores.
Bagalana shot 70 gross in his final practice round on Tuesday but now says that he intends to do better at the event proper.
“Yes! I’m ready for the tournament,” Bagalana who is sponsored by Uganda Golf Club member Andrew Opio under the Spring Spa and Lounge said just hours to tee-off.
“The course is dry and the greens are running slow,” Bagalana further told Uganda Golf Times, adding that; “I have gone through the course and I believe I will do well. Today I was working on my chipping and I believe when action starts and I will be good to go.”
Bagalana’s recent victory was in March this year when he beat Becca Mwanja in sudden death playoffs to win the Professionals (pros) event of the Captain’s Prize Golf Tournament played at Uganda Golf Club.
The Ivory Coast Open or Open de Côte d’Ivoire is a golf tournament in the Ivory Coast. It was founded in 1980, and was an event on the Safari Circuit the following year. It was an event on the European-based Challenge Tour schedule in 1990 and 1991, and from 1996 to 1999. It has been held at President Golf Club, Yamoussoukro and Ivoire Golf Club, Abidjan.
The title has been won by some of the best golfers in the world, including Vijay Singh, Ian Poulter and Gary Player. The most successful player is Englishman Gordon J. Brand, who recorded three wins between 1981 and 1988.
This year’s pro kitty is 38,000 Euros.
