Heavy rains over the weekend disrupted play during the much anticipated Stanbic Matchplay at the Entebbe Golf Club, one of Uganda’s oldest and most scenic golf courses.
Though nature had chosen to flood parts of the course, dozens of golfers went against the odds and braved the difficult conditions in order to get into the next round of this prestigious contest.
Sam Bulenzi, the Stanbic Bank Uganda Chief Information Officer, said no weather condition can stop the leading banking institution from supporting the game of golf in Entebbe.
He hailed the gallant men and women that endured the nonstop torrential rains to pull off results taking them to the next round in May.
“For a very long time, I have been under the pouring rain, because I’m one of those bigheaded golfers who defied nature and played up to the 19th hole. Our commitment as Stanbic Bank to support this great game of golf cannot be determined by a mere weather condition. Be it rain or sunshine, Stanbic Bank will be here to offer the necessary support towards all the linkmen at Entebbe Golf Club,” Bulenzi said.
However, Sserwano Walusimbi, the Entebbe Club Captain, admitted the weather conditions did force the organizers to postpone some of the games meant to have happened on over the weekend.
“The management of Entebbe Golf Club, sat and decided to carry forward some of the competition matches to other days between 8th April 2023 – 21st April 2024. Players have been given an opportunity to decide suitable days and time to enable them battle against each other in order to qualify for the second round of this precious rivalry slated for 17thMay 2024,” Walusimbi said.
The Entebbe Match Play Challenge is a golfing competition that involves the main contest and subsidiary bouts which involve those who missed out on qualifying for the main tournament. Walusimbi clarified that the incident will not affect the events leading to the next rounds slated for 17th May 2024.
He said, “All those who were not able to play on Saturday will play on those highlighted days and this will not affect operations of the next level, because we have time on our side. By the time round two happens in May, we shall have compiled the performance of whoever plays during the course of the fortnight alternative program.”
Match Play round one has attracted over 200 players, but less than half managed to fully complete their rounds due to the downpour that lasted close to five hours.
The Stanbic Entebbe Match Play Challenge is a unique blend of golf and entertainment that is going to span eight months in a thrilling match play format. Throughout the eight-month-long challenge, participants actively engage in competitive golf, in quest to win a Suzuki car curtesy of CFAO motors.
Each player together with their partner will face the challenge of stroke play with holing out a must. The best 64 pairs’ scores from the qualifying round had advanced to round one of the Match Play Challenge that will have to go on till 21st April 2024.
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