On Saturday, August 10, 2024, Gloria Nanyonga was declared the winner of the second quarter of the Serena 63 Golf Series, a prestigious tournament sponsored by I&M Bank.
The announcement took place at the scenic Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa’s lakeside clubhouse during the 3rd quarter of the series.
Nanyonga, playing off a handicap of 16, secured victory with an impressive 200 points, marking a significant milestone as the first female golfer to win in the series’ quarterly outings.
Reflecting on her achievement, Nanyonga credited her success to diligent practice and a focus on enhancing her short game.
“I have put in a lot of time to practice my swing on the range. I gained a lot of confidence from the practice and I played very well throughout the second quarter. I am extremely happy to be a winner in this prestigious series,” she stated.
Nanyonga also expressed her ambition to further improve her handicap and deliver strong performances in the upcoming quarter.
Her victory holds special meaning as she dedicated it to David Plenderleith, the defending champion of the series and winner of the first quarter.
“He introduced me to golf, and most recently, he has been my coach, so I gladly dedicate this win to him,” Nanyonga noted.
Plenderleith, who finished as the first runner-up with 196 points, praised Nanyonga’s progress, while Henry Kibuuka claimed third place with 190 points.
The event saw a rise in participants, totaling 77 players, and was graced by the presence of the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa.
The event also featured a subsidiary category, where Jadu Patel, Sahil Halai, and Leena Halai emerged as the top performers. Guest winners included Brad Allen and Samson Agamire, while Tiger Lee and Sameer Noorandi claimed prizes in the side bet categories for nearest-to-the-pin and longest drive, respectively.
Speaking on behalf of I&M Bank, Chief Financial Officer Timothy Musiime emphasized the bank’s commitment to promoting golf in Uganda and across the region.
“Golf embodies excellence, friendship, and commitment—values we align with and support here in Uganda and across the region,” Musiime remarked.
He also encouraged players to bring their best to the upcoming grand finale of the series, scheduled for November 30th, where the overall winners will be announced.
As the competition intensifies, anticipation builds for the grand finale, where players who have completed a minimum of 26 rounds of 18 holes each will vie for the top honors in the Serena 63 Golf Series.
