New MTN Pro-Tee Series Aims to Elevate Ugandan Golf

A new professional golf circuit, the MTN Pro-Tee Series, has been inaugurated at Entebbe Club, signaling a significant step towards enhancing the careers of Ugandan golfers. Spearheaded by the Uganda Professional Golfers Association (UPGA) and sponsored by MTN, the series aims to provide consistent competition opportunities, which have been a scarcity for local professionals.

Entebbe Club captain Serwano Walusimbi expressed his excitement at the launch, emphasizing that the series will help prepare Ugandan pros for potential international competition. The circuit will feature quarterly events, aligning with the MTN Quarterly Tee. The inaugural leg commenced this week with a 72-hole competition on the par-71 course, attracting a field of 42 players.

UPGA trustee Innocent Kihika highlighted that this initiative fulfills a long-standing promise to the golfing community for a major development. UPGA chairman Davis Kato noted the absence of a structured platform for players to consistently compete and earn, a gap the MTN Pro-Tee Series is designed to fill. The series will incorporate an Order of Merit system and substantial prize money to motivate players throughout the season.

MTN has committed significant financial backing, with Shs15 million for the first leg, Shs20 million for the second, and Shs30 million for the final leg of the year. Notable professionals expected to compete include Ibrahim Bagalana, Ibrahim Ssemakula, Evah Magala, and UPGA board member Irene Nakalembe. This series is seen as a crucial step in building a stronger pathway for Ugandan golfers on both regional and global stages.

This initiative is part of MTN Uganda’s broader ‘Free Your Fire’ campaign, aiming to elevate the standard of professional golf within the country. The series will continue with its second leg in September and conclude with the final leg in December.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)