The premium golf tournament on the Uganda Golf Calendar, the Tusker Malt Uganda Open Championship that will be held from September 1-6 at Uganda Golf Club has received a 200 million sponsorship deal from Uganda Breweries this morning at Sheraton Hotel.
This year the tournament has received a sponsorship increment from 100 million last year to 200 million this year’s edition of which 100 million will go to the professional golfers who are expected to come from East Africa, Africa and Europe.
“Since our maiden sponsorship in 2010, the Uganda Open has been growing in stature and popularity amongst professional and amateur golfers from all over the region and we are determined to make golf one of the essential vehicles for socio-economic transformation in Uganda,” Grace Nshemeire, the Marketing director of Uganda Breweries Limited said at the launch.
“We have sponsored this over the year’s to close to 700 million and it has been increasing every year and we have a good relationship with the Uganda Golf Union and they have showed us their true professionalism whenever we have had sponsorships with them.
The sponsorship was attended by the Uganda Golf Union president Kiwanuka Kiryowa, the tournament director Herbert Rwamibazi, Sheraton Hotel General Manager Ian Duncan, Uganda Golf Club vice-captain Robert Lim Lim, Uganda Travel Burea’s Head of Marketing Edwin Muzahura, Tusker Malt brand manager Phoebe Nakabazzi and the Uganda Golf Union treasurer Jonathan Bakwega.
“The game of golf has steadily grown in Uganda and we have seen a rise in the number of club memberships across the country, both by male and female golfers, young and old. ,” Kiryowa Kiwanuka, the Uganda Golf Union president said at the launch. “The Uganda Open offers golfers a chance to shine at the big stage, and to showcase Uganda to international golf tournaments.
It will be the first time that the tournament is held as a Pro-Am event that will be played on a par 71 course that has been adjusted from it’s usual design.
The Uganda Golf Union has sent out invitations to the Sunshine and European Tour and are expecting 80 professional golfers for this year’s edition.
Sheraton Hotel has offered a sponsorship package worth 200 million which will include refreshments throughout the tournament, the food at the venue that includes the dinner and also discount for the golfers that will be taking part in the tournament.
Uganda Tourism Board, has also offered 10 million shillings that will see them publish a magazine inconjunction with the Uganda Golf Union they have also offered a free tour of Uganda’s tourist attractions to the overall winner.
Last year’s winner is National golfer Peter Ssendaula, who has won the tournament twice.