Annette Nakiyaga flanked by some of
the golfers for a photo moment.
PHOTO | EDDIE CHICCO
The Katogo Golf Series has grown pretty fast from humble beginnings at the start of 2023 to a stand-out grand finale on Saturday at Entebbe Club.
That journey, mooted by ‘Katogo Golf’, a section of golfers who used to share a ‘katogo’ meal after a round on the par-71 course, hit a classic pinnacle with Afrigo Band.
The country’s longest-serving band delivered a delightful touch of music heritage to wrap up a tough day for golfers, who had struggled with a unique format of ‘Double Bogey Danger’.
A 19th hole prize giving ceremony christened all white with the blue colour of platinum sponsor I&M Bank attracted nearly 500 guests on the night, with Herbert Kamuntu emerging as best player of the day.
Shortly after Kamuntu was crowned in the presence of I&M Bank Uganda executive director Sam Ntulume as well as Katogo patrons Edward Kabuuchu and Kiryowa Kiwanuka, Afrigo took to the stage.
Letting loose
The sight of Joanitah Kawalya and Moses Matovu on the microphones got a majority onto their feet, dancing away to Afrigo’s great ballads from genres of African Rumba, and jazz.
A field of 138 players had taken to the course earlier in the day but a handful did not complete because the format required a player to let go of a club from their bag from each hole after they had carded a double-bogey until they would score a par.
“29 players were not able to finish their rounds because they had run out of clubs,” said tournament director Paul Kaheru, who by the end of the night, had been nicknamed ‘The Evil Guy’.
The tournament had an invitational leg to Limuru Golf Club in Kenya and the Katogo Series is set to expand to Kigali, thanks to RwandAir. “We are proud of this Series that is dedicated to the development and growth of this game in this country,” remarked Ntulume.
“Next year, we are going to be bigger and better. Katogo is a mix, w will have amateurs and professionals,” noted I&M Bank’s marketing and corporate communications head Annette Nakiyaga.
