Young golfers shine at NCBA Golf Open
![Young golfers shine at NCBA Golf Open](../admin/images/234527060520241.jpeg)
NCBA Bank Uganda CEO Mark Muyobo (L) and other officials pose with some of the winners.
Junior golfers from five different countries have demonstrated their talent and passion for the sport at the NCBA Uganda Golf Open 2024, hosted at the Lake Victoria Serena Golf & Spa Resort in Kigo.
Over the course of three thrilling days from March 31, budding golf enthusiasts participated in a tournament that formed a crucial part of the NCBA Junior Golf Series, dedicated to fostering and nurturing golfing talent in the youth and children.
The tournament, in which NCBA Bank Uganda injected about UGX100 million, is crafted to prepare the young generation for greatness in future tournaments, in line with NCBA's ethos of Go For It!
- Mark Muyobo, the NCBA Uganda Chief Executive Officer, underscored the bank's commitment to supporting and sponsoring initiatives aimed at nurturing young talent in golf, emphasizing the sport's significance in youth development. More than just a tournament, the series serves as a platform for budding players to not only refine their golfing skills but also to cultivate essential life skills in a fun and inclusive environment.
"We aim to instill the joy of learning golf in children while fostering their overall development. Through engaging and inclusive junior golf programs, we seek to bolster the presence of golf academies in Uganda and pave the way for elite junior players to compete in international championship events," stated Muyobo.
The NCBA Uganda Golf Open 2024 featured multi-day tournaments and camps tailored specifically for junior golfers aged between 6 and 18 years. In addition to its efforts to promote the development of the sport, NCBA Bank remains a staunch supporter of sports initiatives nationwide.
- The bank's sponsorship of the NCBA Monthly Mug challenge at the MaryLouise Simkins Memorial Golf Club in Namulonge also underscores its dedication to fostering community bonds and promoting excellence in sports.
"Our mission at NCBA is to inspire greatness. We are committed to empowering our customers to achieve their financial goals by offering exceptional financial services, and our backing of golf resonates deeply with this commitment," Muyobo added.
The event saw Arianna Jenny Tumwesigye, 8, steal the show with an impressive +13 score, hitting 85 strokes. Meanwhile, Aria Dodhia from Kenya, demonstrated her prowess in the girls' 9-10 age category, clinching victory with 82 strokes.
Malaika Kasio displayed exceptional performance among girls aged 11-12, matching Ariana Bholim's score of 171 strokes in the 13-14 age group. Rachael Natukunda also stood out, delivering an impressive 171 strokes to claim victory in the girls' 15-18 category.
On the boys' side, Aryan Patel emerged victorious in the under-6 age group, carding 83 strokes, while James Tino Macakiage dominated the 7-year-old category with 73 strokes.
- Ivan Kipyegon Kimutai and Lucas Kimara showcased their talent in the 8 and 9-year-old categories, respectively. Ishaan Patel impressed with 163 strokes in the 10-year-old category, while Jordan Van Rooyen secured victory with 172 strokes among the 11-year-olds.
- Jeff Kivi and Ronan Patel displayed remarkable skills in the 12 and 13-14 age groups, respectively, claiming their trophies with 162 and 151 strokes. Pius Ochieng concluded the winners' list, lifting the trophy in the fiercely contested 15-18 age category with 155 strokes.
With participation from over 100 junior golfers from diverse backgrounds, the event offered a pathway for young talents to qualify for prestigious international tournaments such as the Rome Classic in Italy and the Big 5 Championship in South Africa.