The second round of the 2024 I&M Bank Katogo Golf Series saw impressive performances from the Slayers of Gods and Sharks teams at Entebbe Club on Saturday.
The Slayers of Gods, featuring Entebbe Club trustee Edward Kabuchu and Katogo series Vice Captain Andrew Kibaya, led the men’s group with a net team score of 64.
They were matched against The Gods team, which included Katogo patron Attorney General Kiryowa ‘K.K.’ Kiwanuka and Katogo series Captain Elly Kibuuka Mukasa.
In the ladies’ group, Sharks, comprising Ruth Akello and Juliana Ichabala, topped the leaderboard with a net team score of 63. They competed against the Old Stan Charles & M pair of Richard Matsiko and Stanley Musiime.
Both winning teams were awarded air tickets from tournament partner RwandAir, allowing them to travel to any destination served by the airline.
Vice Captain Kibaya expressed his satisfaction with the event, saying, “We had a great game and, above all, we had a great time on the course. We have always played together with our opponents of the day, so we were familiar with their game. I thank my partner for a great show.”
The event was particularly significant for title sponsor I&M Bank, which celebrated its golden jubilee a day earlier.
As part of their corporate social responsibility efforts, the bank donated Shs20m to support the caddies and women who maintain the golf course. This funding will provide school fees for at least the next three years for school-going caddies and the children of the women who care for the course.
“This aligns with our strategy to support communities as well as take care of our environment. This also symbolizes our commitment to support women,” said I&M Bank CEO Robin Bairstow, who attended his third Katogo event.
Kibaya highlighted the evolution of the series, noting that members have shifted from focusing solely on their own needs to giving back to the community, thanks to sponsorships. “We thank our anchor sponsor, I&M Bank, for making this possible,” he said.
I&M Bank Group CEO Kihara Maina, who played alongside former Uganda Golf Club Captain Emmanuel Wamala, shared his enthusiasm, stating, “It’s been an exciting day, and we had a great round. We are pleased to follow the I&M@50 celebrations with a round of golf with our clients, and we are really happy to sponsor one of the country’s leading tournaments.”
The second leg of the series featured the ‘Tee for Me’ format, where players paired up and could switch balls for their second shot at each hole.
In the ladies’ category, Jenina Nasimolo and Moureen Nassimolo of Team Nasy were runners-up with a net score of 65, followed by Rukia Nalwoga and Pamela Tumusiime of Team Dominion with a score of 66.
In the men’s category, Team Hozambee, comprising Louis Tumukunde and Richard Mugisha, finished as runners-up with a net score of 64, while Northern Connect, featuring Morgan Otile and Herbert Opolot, completed the podium with a score of 65.
Individual achievements included Florence Namara winning the longest drive in the ladies’ category and Sandra Komakech securing the nearest to the pin award. In the men’s category, Edgar Muzahura won the longest drive, and Monne Micheal clinched the nearest to the pin award. A spectacular hole-in-one was acknowledged by Victoria Motors, though the car prize was not won.
Throughout the week, quizzes related to the series and I&M Bank ran, with Johnnie Walker awarding top performers with bottles of Gold Reserve at the 19th hole. The 19th hole experience, hosted by comedian Salvado, featured performances by music sensation Charlie King, Kenneth Mugabi, Myko Ouma, and Sewa Sewa, with the I&M Bank Group CEO joining in the celebrations.
The penultimate round of the series, adopting the ‘Russian Chicago Stableford’ pairs format, is set for September 28, while the grand finale, played under the ‘Double Bogey Danger’ format, is scheduled for December 7.
