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The 10 golfers from Uganda set to participate in the Pro-Am event of the 2024 Magical Kenya Open were ceremoniously flagged off on Wednesday at Absa Bank Uganda, the proud sponsor of their journey to the prestigious tournament.
Scheduled to unfold from February 21st to 25th at the Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi, Kenya, this event marks a significant opportunity for the Ugandan contingent to showcase their talents on an international platform.
Emerging as the top performers during the Absa-sponsored Pro-Am tournament of the 2023 Uganda Golf Open, this team comprises 1 professional and 9 amateurs.
Absa Bank Uganda has generously pledged to cover the flights and accommodations for the qualifying amateurs and select clients, while the professional will receive a substantial contribution of USD 4,745 to facilitate early travel for practice and full tournament participation in Kenya.
Michael Segwaya, Executive Director of Absa Bank Uganda, expressed pride in Uganda’s golf community and reiterated the bank’s commitment to nurturing the country’s golfing talent.
“We are honored to support their professional growth as part of our commitment to advancing the game of golf in Uganda,” he stated during a press conference.
The total investment Absa Uganda is making in this year’s Magical Kenya Experience amounts to UGX 130 million.
Sponsored 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 are slated to compete in the Pro-Am on February 21, 2024, while Ronald Rugumayo, the sole professional in the group, will vie in the men’s professional tournament from February 22 to 25, 2024.
Rugumayo, qualifying for the tournament for the second consecutive year, will commence his practice rounds in Nairobi on February 14, 2024, with the rest of the team joining him for the Pro-Am on February 21.
Rugumayo’s qualification stems from his outstanding performance in the recent Safari Tour at the Karen Golf Club in Nairobi, where he amassed a total of 112 points after completing four out of six tournaments.
Expressing optimism for his upcoming performance in the Magical Kenya Open, Rugumayo extended gratitude to Absa Bank Uganda for their unwavering support, emphasizing his dedication to representing Uganda with excellence.
“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.
Rugumanyo is the professional sponsored to the Kenyan Open by Absa Bank Uganda
This marks Absa Uganda’s sixth participation in the Magical Kenya Open Pro-Am. In the previous year, the bank sponsored a contingent of 10 players for the 2023 event with a comprehensive sponsorship package covering accommodation, meals, transportation, tournament entry fees, caddy fees, and golf merchandise.
