Overview:
The Stanbic Entebbe Golf Open returns on a high note this year round and will accommodate both men and women, playing in the Amateurs (gross and subsidiary) as well as Professionals. The Professionals will partake a total kitty of Ugx 36,000,000 in their championship that will tee off on 1st and end on 4th November.
- Competition: 2023 Stanbic Entebbe Golf Open
- Dates: 1st – 4th November
- Categories: Amateurs (Gross & Subsidiary), Professionals
- Gender: Both
- Prize money for pros: Ugx 36,000,000
- Hole-in-One prize: Toyota Fortuna
- Venue: Entebbe Club (Par-71)
The prestigious Entebbe Golf Open has returned with a bang in 2023, come early November.
This follows a sponsorship package from Stanbic Bank to the tune of Ugx 100,000,000 officially unveiled at the financial institution headquarters at Nakasero in Kampala on Tuesday, October 24.
The tournament was last played in 2019 and skipped in the subsequent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the tough economic situation thereafter.
It returns on a high note this year-round and will accommodate both men and women, playing in the amateurs (gross and subsidiary) as well as professionals.
The professionals will compete for a total kitty of Ugx 36,000,000 in their championship that will tee off on 1st and end on 4th November.
The gross players are expected to commence by 3rd November and complete the next day, the same day as the subsidiary cluster (higher handicap players and ladies).
Arthur Kiwanuka, the Head of Affluent Banking at Stanbic Bank, remarked that the decision to partner with Entebbe Club was inspired by customers in the golfing fraternity.
“We are excited to be part of this partnership. We are in love with Entebbe Club for the next three years for the Stanbic Entebbe Open. We were inspired by customers in the golfing community and their exceptional love for the sport,” Kiwanuka remarked.
Entebbe Club captain Serwano Walusimbi anticipates a field as big as 250 golfers for the entire championship to include the Amateurs and Professionals (from Uganda and the neighbouring countries).
“We expect over 250 golfers for the Stanbic Entebbe Open in 2023. The timing of this open is favourable because it comes shortly after the Uganda Open and most professionals will stay around to play since it is back on the Safari Tour series. We want to restore the glory times of Entebbe. The course is getting ready to host the championship,” Walusimbi stated.
Casper Okiru, the Entebbe Club Vice Chairman, projects a long-standing affair with Stanbic Bank.
“We are humbled by this sponsorship. We look forward to a long-lasting relationship with Stanbic Bank. We expect as many amateurs and professionals as possible. We assure fun throughout the tournament,” Okiru asserted.
Davis Kato, the secretary to the Uganda Professional Golfers Association (UPGA), tagged the sponsorship as a dream realized for the players in the paid ranks cluster.
“As professional golfers, this is a dream come true. For a long time, pros have not had a well-financied tournament on the domestic calendar. We look forward to cementing such partnerships that will boost the golf,” Kato stated.
A brand-new Toyota Fortuna has been staked for a hole-in-one (hole to be confirmed), fully insured by Jubilee Insurance.
For starters, Entebbe Club was founded in 1901. The club has an 18-hole golfing course with well-maintained greens, rough patches and dog-legged beautiful fairways.
The club also has a Tennis Court, Basketball Court, Cricket Oval and a wide range of indoor games such as Pool, Snooker and Darts.