MTN CEO Sylvia Mulinge (R) joins the Entebbe Choir to entain guests. Photos/Eddie Chicco
Entebbe is the epitome of vibe among all golf clubs in the country. They have respectfully earned that badge of honour over the course of the past decade.
Yet, in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, Entebbe Golf Club (EGC) lost a part of that pomp. On Saturday though, the club duly rekindled its 19th hole to the customary spectacle as they launched the new MTN Monthly Tee tournament.
The event replaces the previously Monthly Mugs, thanks to a new relationship knitted with the new sponsors. The EGC chairman, Jacob Byamukama, and MTN CEO Sylvia Mulinge e-signed the three-year partnership worth nearly Shs1b on the colourful night.
“MTN Uganda is thrilled to partner with the Entebbe Club to boost golf development and promote the spirit of engagement with the golfing community in Uganda. The golf community has many members who are important stakeholders to MTN,” said Mulinge.
“We are very happy with this partnership as a club,” said Byamukama, “We have agreed that we are going to develop the game of golf with programmes for juniors, ladies and new members to expand golf in the country, with Entebbe as the kingpin,” added the specialist transportation engineer.
Mulinge was later inducted into the club with a series of moments that included dancing on stage with the famous ‘Entebbe Choir’ which comprised Hannington Mpiima, Paul Kaheeru, Elly Mukasa, Andrew Kibaya, Annette Nakiyaga and club captain Serwano Walusimbi.
On the night choreographed by Abeeka Band who played classic Ugandan oldies, Mulinge later received a putter for her first golf club from eventual winner Edward Kabuchu.
“Sylvia came for the first time today and I am hopeful that she will enjoy this evening. To cement it today, we are going to give her a putter as her first club so she can come to play,” Kabuchu said, much to the delight of the audience.
The mining businessman Kabuchu had withstood the heavy rain and wet course to beat the field of 178 players with a score of 63 nett off handicap 19 at the par-71 course.
The night’s other victorious players included seniors winner, Dr Kato Ssebbaale, lady winner Diana Nabukenya, men’s Group winners Tony Kisadha, Ronald Osekeny and Brian Cable.
The in-form Osekeny had earlier won the EGC Idd Social with 39 stableford points off handicap 17 on Friday.
The merrymaking and dancing which went on long into the night must have met the expectations of the tournament think-tanks Peter Magona and Innocent Kihika.
The June and December legs only promise bigger parties.
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