Rain sets stage for Pros to prove themselves at Uganda Open

Kampala, Uganda | LOUIS JADWONG |  Just hours after a sunny day at the Absa Pro-Am event of the Johnnie Walker Uganda Golf Open, one can be forgiven for thinking they are playing in a different tournament and venue today.

The professional’s day started with heavy rains at the Kitante golf course, and all the early starters are expected to struggle to adapt to the moist conditions despite the late start.

The draw somehow conspired to get the main favourites a later day start, that will give them a huge advantage over those who were supposed to tee off at 7am.

The late starters include two of the favourites Mutahi Kibugu and brother Njoroge Kibugu, set for tee off at 9.30am and 12.20am.

The 23-year-old Mutahi Kibugu was the only East African who made the cut at this year’s Magical Kenya Golf Open, a feat his younger brother Kibugu Njoroge (20) achieved a year earlier.

Mutahi Kibugu, is one of two sons of renowned amateur golfer, Daniel Kagwe. Daniel Kagwe was a prominent amateur player on the Uganda golf scene in the early 2000s, and indeed was captain of the Uganda Golf Club, Kitante in 2004-2005 before he returned to Nairobi.

After several appearances as an amateur, Kibugu Mutahi returned as a professional to Uganda last year, but could only manage 19th (+12 300), well behind eventual winner Robson Chinhoi (-11  277) from Zimbabwe. Chinhoi has not made it this time, so the title will change hands at the end of 72 holes of play on Saturday.

Other favourites include Uganda Open Golf Champion 2015, 2016 and 2018 Ronald Otile who returns for the first time as a professional plus Ronald Rugumayo who has been playing on the Sunshine tour

The winner of Uganda Pro Golf Open Championship will walk away with sh21 million out of the 100 million prize kitty. The top 30 will share the kitty and earn points for the Safari Tour.

The tournament is sponsored by Uganda Breweries Limited under their brand Johnnie Walker, co-sponsors are ABSA Bank Uganda, Pinnacle Security Limited, Crown Beverages, NBS Sport, HK Properties, Medisell, Case Medical Services, HTC Hub, NCS, Royal and Ancient.

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✳ Winners of Pro Open since 2006:
2006 – Deo Akope (Uganda)
2007 – Dismas Ndiza (Kenya)
2008 – Dismas Ndiza (Kenya)
2009 – Richard Ainley (Kenya)
2010 – Dismus Ndiza (Kenya)
2011 – Dismus Ndiza (Kenya)
2012 – Dismus 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
2023 – ????