Over 850 players set for Uganda Golf Open tournament

Uganda Breweries Limited through its premium brand Tusker Malt Lager brand has announced its sponsorship of the 2015 Uganda Golf Open tournament slated for July 15 – August 1 at the Kitante golf course in Kampala.

Friday, June 05, 2015
Grace Nshemeire Gwaku (C), Marketing Director UBL hands over a dummy check for sponsorship of 2015 Uganda Open to Kiryowa Kiwanuka, the president UGU. (Courtsey)

Uganda Breweries Limited through its premium brand Tusker Malt Lager brand has announced its sponsorship of the 2015 Uganda Golf Open tournament slated for July 15 – August 1 at the Kitante golf course in Kampala.

Uganda Breweries which is sponsoring the event for the fifth year running will inject a total of Uganda Shillings 515m (Rwf128.7m) into the tournament of which 200 million (Rwf50m) is in cash while the Ugsh315m (Rwf78.7m) will go into activations, branding, beer, giveaways uniforms for caddies and players, among others.

This implies that the professionals will yet again tussle it out for a share of Ugsh100m (Rwf50m) staked by UBL.

Speaking during a press briefing to announce the sponsorship package, Grace Nshemeire Gwaku, the Marketing Director UBL noted that the game of golf has quickly transformed into a vehicle capable of fostering socio-economic transformation in Uganda.

She added that this is the underlining reason that UBL chose to partner with the Uganda Golf Union so as to popularize the game.

She said, "We are proud to be sponsoring the Uganda Golf Open for the fifth consecutive year. Our aim is to partner with the Uganda Golf Union and together make the Tusker Malt Uganda Open one of the most sought after tournaments in Africa. The participation of the Sunshine Tour players is testament that we are on the right track.”

According to the Uganda Golf Union, while last year saw the participation of about 350 golfers, this year will see the participation of over 875 players including Rwandans over the 16 days of the open.

The PRO-AM event where amateurs get the chance to horn their skills whilst playing alongside professionals has also been maintained on an invitational basis for the 2015 event. The Ladies Open

Tournament which used to be a separate event is also now part of the Uganda Open.

Organizers said subsidiary categories in the Ladies, Amateur and Professional opens have been introduced.

These will, however, have a cut of half the field to allow smooth play on the last day while allowing for increased competition in these categories. The amateur main event will also have a cut after 36 holes.