Professionals golfers to fight for sh10m in the 25th edition of Kinyara Golf Open

A projected number of 200 golfers are expected to compete in the 25th edition of the Kinyara Golf Open due in Masindi, November 23-25.

The annual event will tee off with a two-day, 36-hole event for the professionals who have a sh10m kitty to fight out for.

Grace Kasango who beat Ronnie Bukenya by a stroke after a double play-off last year after both players had tied on 144 gross each is the defending champion while Joseph Cwinya-ai and Meron Kyomugisha are the amateur defending champions in the men's and ladies’ categories respectively.

The event was launched on Friday at the Uganda Golf Club where ICEA Lion and Liaison Group unveiled sh30m and sh15m cheques for the three-day event.

Kinyara Golf Club captain Moses Enzama said the professionals will compete over two days (36 holes) on November 23-24 alongside the gross amateur players before the subsidiary event on Saturday, November 25.

“We expect over 200 golfers from all over the country to grace the tournament. We are ready to host all the golfers that will come for the event. The course is in pristine condition; the home-grown players are ready to fight it out with what the rest of the visiting golfers have to offer and we are ready to offer the best experience as we celebrate golf,” Enzama stated.

Aldon Walukamba the Kinyara Corporate Communications Manager said they were proud to associate with bigger brands, and that the two-day event will feature high-profile golfers like the defending champion Cwinya-ai and a host of other top amateur golfers including the top lady golfers in the country.

“Kinyara is happy to host the event after enduring a difficult year but we are also delighted to host the 25th edition alongside our partners and indeed we are proud to contribute to the wellness of Ugandans through sports.

“This is an important sport that traverses many audiences, many lands and also invites many brands like the sponsors for this event which are strong brands, so we invite everyone to come and embrace the tournament,” Walukamba stated.

He said a half-tone of sugar would be up for grabs for anyone who would be lucky to hit a hole-in-one at the well-guarded par-3 hole-7.

The event is co-sponsored by several partners that include the Liaison Group which was represented by the Group General Manager Sarah Siryowe, and others; Deborah Mwesigwa (Sanlam), Caroline Owomuhangi (UAP Old Mutual), Angela Dragu (MUA), Nicholas Sevume (KCB Bank), and Daniel Kairu (ICEA Lion) and Gold Star Insurance.

“It is golf that unites us as partners within the industry and I would like to thank our partners for the continued financial support towards the tournament. We look forward to a bigger and better event,” Siryowe said.

ICEA’s Kairu said they were going to introduce a policy that covers material damage and theft of their equipment. The policy will also cover expenses up to sh500,000/- that might accrue if someone made the feat and also public liability if the golf ball hits someone or damages nearby property.