Almost four days before its tee-off, the draw for the field to compete in the subsidiary category at the fifth Equity Naro Golf Open at the Mary Louise Simkins Golf Club in Namulonge was already full.
That packed schedule for 120 players who compete on the final round of the three-day Naro Open will tee-off this morning at the nine-hole par-70 course in Namulonge.
The championships coincides with 17-year celebrations for title sponsors Equity Bank who cashed in a package of Shs200m as well as the 75th anniversary National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI).
NaCRRI, which hosts Namulonge Club and boasts of plans to expand it to 18 holes, in light of fast development of the nearby Kira Municipality and Kyadondo East constituency, is run by run by the National Agricultural Research Organisation (Naro).
‘Namulonge is not just a venue. It is a nursery of talent,’ notes Equity Bank managing director Gift Shoko, who boasts of 20 years’ golfing experience and a current handicap index of 16.2.
‘It is where many of Uganda’s greatest golfers took their very first swing.and it is a community that continues to nurture young players who later rise to national and international acclaim,’ he said.
‘This is why Equity Bank is deeply invested in Namulonge, because when you invest in the foundations of talent, you invest in the future of sport, of community, and of opportunity.’
To spice up the action, Namulonge will today welcome the foreign legion comprising players from Kenya and a quintet of five Zimbabweans in Godwin Matanga, Tendai Kennedy Chadyiwa, Peter Mauchi, Evaristo Mudhikwa and Morgan Gwata.
‘We are also thrilled to welcome seasoned golfers from Zimbabwe, who are already in the country and ready to take on the greens, a testament to how far this tournament has come,’ Shoko stated.
Shoko entered in the field along with Equity Bank’s executive director Claver Serumaga. To honour Equity Bank’s achievements, the par-4 Hole No.17 at Namulonge is uniquely branded over 247 yards.
‘Together, we affirm one truth: Progress in banking, in agriculture, or in sport, is greatest when organisations unite with purpose and shared ambition,’ added Shoko.
Namulonge has this year hosted the two-day Namulonge Ladies Open also sponsored by Equity Bank back in May and the K and K Invitational Pro- Am in July and the magnitude of the Naro Open is set to give the year a fitting end.