- Event: 1st Pearl of Africa Golf Series
- Legs: Kampala, Entebbe, Lugazi
- Professionals’ prize fund: Ug.Shs 20,000,000 per leg
- Amateur Gross prize fund: Ug.Shs 5,000,000 per leg
Legendary Uganda professional golfer Deo Akope tags the upcoming Pearl of Africa Golf series as a dream come true for the Ugandan golf fraternity.
Akope, also the chairman of Uganda Professional Golfers Association (UPGA) is glad that such series have been initiated to uplift the standards and levels of Uganda’s professionals as well as the gross players.
“The Uganda Professional Golfers Association is happy to be part of the Pearl of Africa Golf Series” Akope revealed during the official launch of the series at the Uganda Golf Club in Kampala on Tuesday, 28th January 2025.
“For me, it is a dream come true. This is something we have been yearning for a long time” Akope, a multiple Uganda Open winner as amateur and professional added.
Game improvement:
Akope believes that the Pearl of Africa golf series will better the players in action.
“Such competitions are welcome and they will further improve our game. This is the beginning of a big journey to be moved. We have 67 professionals at the moment and this is a great platform to have them regularly involved.” Akope revealed during a panel discussion.
Akope was joined by top professional Ronald Rugumayo, journalist-cum-golfer Mark Namanya, Dr Edward Nyatia (Pearl of Africa Golf series chairman) on the panel discussion.
For Rugumayo, that the series are long overdue and the players should just get in shape for the best foot forward.
“I am very glad that the Pearl of Africa series are here. We have not been playing enough tournaments. As professionals, you get experience and exposure through playing regularly. We need to work hard” Rugumayo.
Uganda Golf Club captain Paul Charles Rukundo and his counterpart from Lugazi Paul Nanduvathussery Joseph also spoke highly of these series.
“As Uganda Golf Club, we are privileged to be hosting the first leg of the Pearl of Africa Golf series. We are excited towards the whole arrangement, one that meant to improve golfers” Rukundo stated.
Nanduvathussery envisages the opportunity to host the final leg of the Pearl of Africa Golf series as a blessing; a dress rehearsal towards hosting the prestigious Uganda Open.
“To host the final leg of the Pearl of Africa series is a big honour for us. This will be like a precursor for the Uganda Open” Lugazi captain Paul Nanduvathussery Joseph hinted.
Dr Nyatia, the chairman of the series has a vision for the next generation of golfers as well as teh present cluster; professionals and top gross players.
“The main objective for the Pearl of Africa Golf series is to promote professional golf. There is a lot of talent in this country who have not yet penetrated the big stage. We yearn to inspire the next generation of golfers (the youth golfers)” Dr Nyatia revealed during the official launch at Uganda Golf Club.
Part of the agenda too is the need to foster environmental sustainability which has been included on the agenda.
“We are promoting good waste management through community clean ups, tree planting, proper solid waste management to champion environmental protection towards a cleaner living environment” he added.
Dr. Nyatia urged prospective sponsors to join the Pearl of Africa Golf Series and benefit from the leverage that comes forth with.
“These series will provide a competitive environment for golfers (gross and professionals). I therefore urge the sponsors to come since they will connect with the premium cluster of people” he concluded.
The launch was also graced by Uganda Professional Golfers Association (UPGA Trustee Dicksons Kateshumbwa, also the Member of Parliament Sheema Municipality.
The first edition of the Pearl of Africa Golf series will swing off on the 5th to 8th February 2025 at Uganda Golf Club (UGC) in Kampala city.
These series shall have the professional golfers as well as the top gross golfers which will be played at three different venues; Kampala (UGC), Entebbe (Entebbe club) and Lugazi (Lugazi Hills and Country Club).
The kitty for the professionals per leg played is Ug.Shs 20,000,000 to be distributed among the successful cluster that makes the cut whilst the amateur gross players will partake Ug.Shs 5,000,000.
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