Rwandan golfer Celestin Nsanzuwera emerged as the top professional at the Absa Pro-Am of the Johnnie Walker Uganda Open Golf Championship held on Tuesday at Entebbe Club.
Nsanzuwera, playing for the Johnnie Walker Four team, carded 43 points, one point ahead of Kenya’s Greg Snow, who was playing for the Johnnie Walker One team.
Crowd favorite Ronald Rugumayo beat Njoroge Kibugu on countback after they both returned 38 points. 2022 Pro-Am winner Silver Opio secured fifth position with 37 points, also after a countback.
The top three professional winners from the tournament received a total of UGX 8 million (UGX 3,500,000, 2,500,000, and 2,000,000 respectively) in cash prizes from Absa Bank.
In the amateur category, Philemon Akatuhurira led the pack with 42 points. Ronald Pulle and Peace Hellen were not far behind, both scoring 41 points. Christopher Magezi and Apollo Segawa completed the top five with 40 points each, with Magezi taking the fourth spot on countback.
Ten slots in the Magical Kenya Open are available to the top ten players from the Uganda Open Pro-Am, with five spots for professionals and five for amateurs.
However, the selected professionals will still need to qualify according to the Magical Kenya Open selection criteria. Any slots allocated to professionals that are not utilized will be given to the next best amateur golfers.
The announcement was made by the bank’s Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer, Michael Segwaya, during the prize-giving ceremony for the Absa Pro-Am.
“We are driven by the desire to be a force for good in the community, and this support will provide our Ugandan players the opportunity to enhance their skills and gain international exposure by participating in the prestigious Magical Kenya Open. This opportunity has, over the years, contributed to elevating our golf players and unlocking opportunities for growth. Our efforts have paid off, as reflected by wins like Ronald Rugumayo making history as the first Ugandan player to make the cut for the DP World Tour, owing to Absa’s support.”
The Magical Kenya Open, which started in 1967, has grown to become one of Africa’s premier golf attractions and is now part of the DP World Tour.
The Johnnie Walker Uganda Open Golf Championship will conclude this week. The professionals’ open, which began today, is the final event of the tournament.
