2026 Pearl of Africa (POA) Golf Series (Top 5):
Champion: Ronald Rugumayo (Uganda) 67, 64, 69 (200) – 13
T2: Godwin Okoko (Nigeria) 66, 68, 70 (204) – 9
T2: Adams Paul (Malawi) 71, 67, 66 (204) – 9
T4: Pickering Slade (South Africa) 68, 67, 79 (205) – 8
T4: Millar Matt (England) 68, 69, 68 (205) – 8
Champions are special characters with unique approaches, mentalities and working strategies.
Common to many successful sportsmen are attributes of diligence, awesome preparation, strong mental fortitude, patience, aggression and consistency. Uganda’s professional golfer Ronald Rugumayo religiously aligns with the cluster aforementioned.
As Rugumayo swung to the prestigious 2026 Pearl of Africa (POA) Golf series professional success at the par-71 Entebbe Club, a lot could be told of his game.
“Mayo”, as he is fondly known, has worked a great deal to up his game, alongside his swift management team.
Rugumayo works hard. He has the due humility any Saint could be jealous of. He is strong mentally, patient during play, aggressive when called upon, articulate and consistent.
Firing a 13-under 200 over three rounds during the POA Golf Series in Entebbe, Rugumayo was underlining the consistent drive that has since witnessed him win the prestigious Uganda Professional Open in Kampala and the MTN Pro Tee tourney in Entebbe.
“I am happy for this victory in the POA Golf series,” Rugumayo who fired a joint tournament best round score of 7-under 64 spoke.
“The field was competitive, and I appreciate it. Personally, I spoke to myself and said; Mayo, you can make it at home, and I worked hard for it. I thank my caddie, the management team, fellow professionals and the organisers of this championship,” Rugumayo, who pocketed the lion’s share of the $20,000 prize fund, added.
Rugumayo opened the championship with 4-under-67 during the opening round. He bettered it with 7-under-64 on round two and climaxed the championship with 2-under-69 in the 54-hole competition.
Nigeria’s Godwin Okoko and Adams Paul from Malawi shared second position with 9-under-204.
Slade Pickering (South Africa) and Matt Millar (England) were in joint fifth position.
Top 10:
South African Nethunzwi Musiwalo (206), Kenya’s Greg Snow (211), South Africa’s De Smidt Ruan (211), Ugandan duo of David Kamulindwa and Abraham Ainamani (211) as well as South Africa’s Ngcobo Thabiso (211) were in the top 11 positions.
Thirty four (34) golfers made the cut to partake of the $20,000 prize fund.
There were three Ugandan amateurs who played amazing golf among the professionals.
Antony Otukei (213), Joseph Cwinya-ai (218) and Joseph Reagan Akena (219) were the outstanding amateur players.
The Pearl of Africa Golf Series made history as Uganda’s first Official World Ranking professional golf tournament under the Sunshine Development & BET Tour.
