The 2024 Stanbic Entebbe Golf Open teed off on Wednesday at the par-71 course which lies close to the shores of Lake Victoria. Just over 200 men and women from both within and outside Uganda, featuring professionals and amateurs, are competing in various categories.
Last year, Stanbic Bank announced a three-year sponsorship package worth UGX 100 million to revive the prestigious event, which was not played for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
During a news conference early this week, Arthur Kiwanuka, the Head of Personal and Private Banking at Stanbic Bank said,” We are really excited about this event. This is the second year (of Stanbic sponsorship) and we still have a year at least in terms of commitment. The success we got last year made sense for us to definitely ensure that this year it happens. This year’s winner will get UGX40 million in cash and UGX60 million will go to the Club.”
He said “The other thing is we’re excited about the fact that the pros came through last year and they played very well. And they wanted us to continue this as well. So we said you know what– let’s up the key team. From the 35 we sponsored last year to 40 this year. Why is it important? Someone has already mentioned they don’t get so many opportunities to get sponsored. So for us then as a partner for the golf community, it makes sense for us to participate when we have a chance”.
Sserwano Walusimbi the Entebbe Club Captain said, “Last year and four years before then, the main focus of the competition is the amateur group. This time it’s a world ranking amateur tournament as well. So the amateurs who are participating in this tournament will be getting ranking points. Our pros don’t really have many local tournaments that they can participate in to hone their skills so that when they go to represent us or represent themselves on the continent or elsewhere, they’re not as sharp. So we are very happy to have the Stanbic Entebbe Open. Stanbic is with us for the second year in a row. And of course, we are very grateful for this partnership”.
Walusimbi said there had been much interest shown by the professionals to participate. “We have about 37, thereabouts or more professionals who are playing in this Open. There about 26 Ugandans and 11 internationals, Kenyans and Rwandese, and then, of course, the amateurs. We also have a good number there for about 37 or 40 amateurs playing. So we are really excited.”
The professionals will be playing for four days. The amateurs will be playing for three days, with the subsidiary players joining the field on Saturday.
Eng. Jacob Byamukama, the Entebbe Club Chairman said, “I want to invite all the golfers in the country; this is the Stanbic Entebbe Open that you’re used to. You know the quality of the course that we have and present to you, it will be a nice challenge for you to come and enjoy.”
