Overview:
The organizing team of the 2023 Johnnie Walker Uganda Golf Pro championship led by the tournament director Dr Jackson Were had to call off the early tee-offs as the rains settled.
2023 Johnnie Walker Uganda Golf Pro Open
Day 1 (1st Round): Wednesday, October 25
At Uganda Golf Club – Kitante, Kampala
The early morning rains in Kampala city and the surrounding areas on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 have forced the delay of tee-off for the first round of the 2023 Johnnie Walker Uganda Golf Pro open championship.
The heavy rains that lasted for over three hours flooded the fairways and greens as the professional golfers who were supposed to tee-off as early as 7 AM waited by the club-house.
The organizing team of the championship led by the tournament director Dr Jackson Were had to call off the early tee-offs as the rains settled.
“We have to wait a little longer as the rains settle. Such conditions are not favourable for the playing” Dr Were noted.
The professional golfers and a select number of amateurs remained patient at the club house for the rains to settle.
Causal workers at the city center situated golfing facility were seen raking off the flooded parts of the fairways and the greens so that action could start as the rains settled down.
The postponement of the early tee-offs meant that the respect start times for all the golfers on the opening round could be affected.
Over 100 professional golfers from 10 countries; Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and South Africa are in action for the four-day championship that has a total kitty of Ug.Shs 100,000,000.
Last year’s champion Robson Chinoi did not travel to Kampala to defend the title that he won at Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa in 2022.
United States based Ronald Otile, a former three-time winner as an amateur makes his long awaited professional debut in the Uganda Open.
Sadly, former winner as amateur and professional Deo Akope misses out because of a groin injury.
There are two lady professionals who will take part; Irene Nakalembe and Flavia Namakula.
Nakalembe made the cut last year at the Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa course.
Cast of winners since 2006:
Professionals:
- 2006 – Deo Akope (Uganda)
- 2007 – Dismas Ndiza (Kenya)
- 2008 – Dismas Ndiza (Kenya)
- 2009 – Richard Ainley (Kenya)
- 2010 – Dismas Ndiza (Kenya)
- 2011 – Dismas Ndiza (Kenya)
- 2012 – Dismas Ndiza (Kenya)
- 2013 – Vicent Byamukama (Uganda)
- 2014 – Deo Akope (Uganda)
- 2015 – Madalisto Muthiya (Zambia)
- 2016 – Joshua Seale (South Africa)
- 2017 – Stephen Ferriera (Portugal)
- 2018 – Dismas Indiza (Kenya)
- 2019 – Madalisto Muthiya (Zambia)
- 2020 – Robson Chinhoi (Zimbabwe)
- 2021– Jastas Madoya (Kenya)
- 2022 – Robson Chinoi (Zimbabwe)
Amended Draw for Opening Round after the heavy rains on Wednesday morning:
