For years, the Mary Louise Simkins Golf Club in Namulonge and Equity Bank have nurtured a seamless relationship. Whereas many of the kind dwindle or fade, the aforementioned finds a newer groove each passing year.
At the start of the week, Equity Bank reaffirmed that when executive director Claver Serumaga announced a Shs200m contribution towards the fifth Equity Naro Golf Open which will tee-off this morning at the par-70 course.
Perhaps, that is the biggest contribution to a club known to nurture the current crop of many corporate golfers and some amateurs and professionals.
The three-day championship, which also coincides with the 75th year anniversary of the National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), will be used to mark 17 years of the financial institution.
‘It carries with it a deep and meaningful milestone. Equity Bank is celebrating 17 years of serving the people of Uganda,’ remarked Serumaga flanked by Namulonge Club chairman Herbert Kamuntu, NaCCRI director of research Titus Alicai and tournament director Kenneth Kamusiime
’17 years of growth, partnership, innovation, and shared prosperity. 17 years of walking hand in hand with individuals, families, and businesses to transform lives and livelihoods,’ he said of Equity Bank’s success, impact, and partnerships in Uganda’s financial sector.
As a result, the 247-yard par-4 Hole No.17 will be rebranded to symbolically mark the feat for the bank. Part of the package for sponsorship at the course housed by NaCCRI, run by the National Agricultural Research Organisation (Naro), will cater for logistics of the showpiece and tournament silverware.
The professionals, whose title is held by Namulonge’s own Marvin Kibirige, will play for Shs10m kitty while amateurs will compete for Shs5m. Both sets tee-off this Thursday and will compete over 36 holes, ending Friday.
‘I am ready to defend, I am in good shape mentally well,’ noted Kibirige who a fortnight ago capitulated to lose the Kinyara Open title in Masindi to David Kamulindwa.
The sizable field of the subsidiary class will compete on Saturday as Namulonge caps a busy 2025, which also had other tournaments including the Namulonge Ladies Open in May sponsored by Equity Bank and the K and K Invitational Pro-Am in July.
‘This is truly an honour and privilege for our club,’ said Namulonge lady captain Sheila Aine. ‘The Equity Namulonge Golf Open offers us an opportunity to showcase our beautiful course and to continue building and supporting women’s golf in Uganda. We are excited for this edition and deeply appreciate the sponsors and partners who have come on board,’ she added.
Female competitors like 2022 winner Meron Kyomugisha are entered. Kyomugisha topped the lady amateurs at the Kinyara Open.
2024 EQUITY BANK NARO GOLF OPEN
PROFESSIONALS FINAL LEADERBOARD
1 Marvin Kibirige 67 62 129
2 Tom Jingo 65 70 135
3 James Koto 68 70 149
T4 Phillip Kasozi 67 73 140
T4 David Kamulindwa 70 70 140
T4 Abraham Ainamani 69 71 140
T7 Rodell Gaita 69 72 141
T7 Ronald Otile 72 69 141
9 Deo Akope 71 72 143
T10 Vincent Byamukama 73 71 144
T10 Davis Kato 74 70 144