By CHIMPREPORTS
The 10 golfers from Uganda set to participate in the Pro-Am event of the 2024 Magical Kenya Open were flagged off on Wednesday during a ceremony at Absa Bank, which is sponsoring their entire participation in the prestigious tournament next week (21st to 25th February) at the Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi, Kenya.
The team, comprising one professional and nine amateurs, emerged as the best performers during the Absa-sponsored Pro-Am Tournament of the 2023 Uganda Golf Open.
Absa Bank will cover the flights and accommodation for the qualifying amateurs and some of its clients. The professional will receive a total contribution of USD 4,745 to cover early travel to Kenya for practice and participation in the full tournament program.
During the ceremony, Michael Segwaya, the Bank’s Executive Director, expressed pride in Uganda’s golf community’s accomplishments, stating, “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.”
The total amount Absa Uganda will spend on this year’s Magical Kenya Experience is Shs 130 million.
The participating 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 participate in the men’s professional tournament from February 22, 2024, to February 25, 2024. Rugumayo, qualifying for the tournament for the second consecutive year, will depart for Nairobi to commence his practice rounds on 14 February 2024, with the rest of the team joining him on 21 February 2024 at the Pro-Am.
Rugumayo, who posted a stellar performance in the just-concluded Safari Tour at the Karen Golf Club in Nairobi, expressed optimism for his performance in this year’s Magical Kenya Open. He appreciated Absa Bank for covering the participation costs, saying, “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.”
This marks the sixth time Absa Uganda will participate in the Magical Kenya Open Pro-Am. Last year, the bank sponsored a contingent of 10 players for the 2023 Magical Kenya Open with a UGX 90,000,000 sponsorship package, covering accommodation, meals, transport, tournament entry fees, caddy fees, and golf merchandise.
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