Ten Ugandan amateur golfers set for the Magical Kenya Open experience
UGU president Jackson Were said that Absa was a very valuable partner for the union and thanked them for their contribution in the development of the game.
Ugandan amateur golfers Darwin Angundri (left), Alex Wandera (center) and Kenneth Tumusiime (right) pose with UGU president Jackson Were (2nd left) and Absa Bank Executive Director and Chief Finance Officer Michael Segwaya at Absa Bank. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
After shining at last September’s Uganda Open Absa Pro-Am, ten standout Ugandan amateur golfers are now brimming with anticipation for their chance to compete at the prestigious Magical Kenya Open, set for February 18 to 21 at Nairobi’s renowned Karen Golf and Country Club.
The winners include Kenneth Tumusiime, Darwin Angundri, Joshua Odongo, Hellen Lunkuse, Alex Wandera, Ronald Pulle, Beth Alexis Kariuki, Kenneth Baija, Jerry Owachi, and James Abiria, who stood out during the event held at the Lugazi Hills Golf and Country Club.
They will enjoy an all-expense-paid trip to play in the DP Tour’s Magical Kenya Open Pro-Am tournament on February 18, courtesy of Absa.
“We have high expectations, and we think we can perform better than we did in Lugazi because it is a hard course, which has prepared us well, and we think Karen is not that hard, so we hope to perform better than last time,” Wandera, a member of Lugazi, said after Michael Segwaya, the bank’s Executive Director and Chief Finance Officer, flagged off the team at the bank’s headquarters in Kampala yesterday.
“Karen is one of the best courses we have in East Africa, and I can’t wait to have a thrilling experience since it is going to be my first time playing on it. I have been practicing for the event, and I hope all will end well on that day,” Angundri noted. Angundri, alongside Kenneth Tumusiime, was among the three golfers who represented the rest at the flag-off also attended by Uganda Golf Union president Jackson Were and treasurer Annette Kiconco.
“I haven’t played as many courses in my three-year career, but we shall go there, play the course as we find it, and if we play well, that will be good for our sponsors. " Exposure of any kind is good, and we shall make the best of it," Tumusiime stated. Segwaya said they had invested sh100m in this year’s event, including the $4500 (sh15m) that will go to Rwandan Celestine Nsazuwera, who emerged as the best pro not only during the Uganda Open but was also the sole East African outside Kenya who will play in the main event. “We are really proud that we are part of this prestigious tournament, and we look forward to our goal of getting visibility and recognition to align with our aim of nurturing sports and excellence. This is the eighth time Absa is doing this,” Segwaya noted.
“Our involvement goes beyond just participation. It is really looking at the long-term impact. We want to extend our sincere thanks to the Golf Union and are looking forward to reinforcing our commitment to the game of golf across East Africa.”
UGU president Jackson Were said that Absa was a very valuable partner for the union and thanked them for their contribution in the development of the game.
“Partnerships like this not only elevate our tournaments to international standards but also create meaningful opportunities for our professionals and mature players to showcase and play alongside international players,” Were stated.