Stanbic Entebbe Match Play Challenge Kicks Off in Style

The highly anticipated Stanbic Match Play Challenge, which is undeniably going to be the most sought-after golfing event on Uganda’s sporting calendar, made a triumphant entry with the qualifiers over the weekend at the prestigious Entebbe Club.

This comes after the three-year UGX500 million sponsorship of the renamed Stanbic Entebbe Match Play Challenge. The event will span eight months culminating into a grand finale slated for this October and will feature both professional and amateur players.

This comes after the partnership between Singleton and the Entebbe Club management came to an end late last year.

Speaking at a dinner at Entebbe Club, Grace Ssemakula, the Chief Executive of SBG Securities, said he was pleased with the zeal with which the Stanbic Entebbe Match Play Challenge 2o24 had started.

“This evening on behalf of Stanbic Uganda, we reaffirm our pledge to our long -term support for the sport of golf for the next three years to make the Stanbic Entebbe Match Play Challenge 2024 worth the feel. Uganda is our Home, we drive Her growth. This evening I am proud to confirm that the Stanbic Entebbe Match Play challenge kicked off with alot of enthusiasm and great skills for gold displayed, although as a new person to golf except Mugisha, I am disappointed that there was no hole in one but hopefully next week,” said Ssemakula.

He also noted that Stanbic Bank was interested in seeing the tourney succeed and inspire more people. He Ssemakula also urged golf lovers to engage with the leading commercial bank on investment opportunities.

“We recognize your financial needs, our friends in golf, and at Stanbic Uganda we have decided to partner with you for the success of this tournament. Thank you. We hope that we meaningfully engage and get to know of our various products under our private banking segments and investment opportunities,” he said.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with our friends of Entebbe Golf Club to bring you what we believe shall be an exciting and fun -filled sporting experience and we want to invite all golf lads to participate. We’ve not done this alone, we have partnered with CFAO Motors to provide a truly majestic grand prize of the brand-new Grand Vitara Hybrid. I think that is a big clap of expectation. Our friends, Uganda Airlines, who are providing six air tickets to various destinations to the lucky winners and DSTV for Business.”

Sserwano Walusimbi, the Entebbe Club Captain saluted  the golfers who played. “I know we had some conditions but I think you understand. But anyway, today we had 208 players in the course. So thank you very much,” he said.

On his part, Jacob Byamukama, the Entebbe Club Chairman, said: “This is to officially welcome you here on behalf of the trustees and heads of the Entebbe Club and also on behalf of the members of the Entebbe Club to hosting you for this event. I want you to join me in thanking our main sponsor for the Stanbic Entebbe Match Play Challenge Thank you so, so, so much. And that also goes to the co-sponsors and also the committee.”

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 will engage in competitive golf.

The journey to the Grand Finale commences today with a qualifying round at the scenic Golf Course at Entebbe Club. 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 will advance to round one of the Match Play Challenge.

A brand new Grand Vitara Hybrid from CFAO Motors awaits whoever hits a hole- in -one.

STANBIC ENTEBBE MATCH PLAY CHALLENGE QUALIFIERS WINNERS

WINNER GROUP A MEN: (Byaruhanga Jaime 65 nett)

RUNNER UP: (Habyarimana Paul 68 nett)

WINNER GROUP B MEN: (Aritua Collins  65 nett)

RUNNER UP: (Adiga Jimmy 66 nett c/b)

WINNER GROUP C MEN: (Micheal Bironse  67 nett)

RUNNER UP: (Mukasa  Alex 68 nett)

WINNER GROUP A LADIES: (Harriet Kitaka  69 nett)

RUNNER UP: (Joyce Kisembo 73 nett)

WINNER GROUP B LADIES (Nalwoga Rukia 70 nett)

RUNNER UP: (Evelyn Atukunda 74 nett)

LONGEST DRIVE MEN:  (Osekenye Ronald)

LONGEST DRIVE LADIES: (Kabasweka Peace)

NEAREST TO THE PIN MEN: (Edgar Muzahura)

NEAREST TO THE PIN LADIES: (Sarah Nduhukire)

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