Godfrey Nsubuga emerged champion of the 2023 Johnnie Walker Amateur Uganda Open, held at the Uganda Golf Club in Kampala. The Mehta Golf Club protégé displayed exceptional golfing prowess throughout the tournament, securing his victory with an outstanding gross score of 275 over four days of play, the lowest in the tournament’s history.
Nsubuga’s remarkable journey to victory began on Wednesday, where he set the tone with a spectacular opening round, scoring an impressive 65 gross. He maintained his lead over the following days, fending off stiff competition from his fellow golfers notably, Ibrahim Bagalana who claimed the second position with a total score of 279 gross and Joseph Cwinyaai who came in third with a score of 284 gross.
Nsubuga attributed his victory to long-term preparation and his familiarity with the Uganda Golf Club.
“This has not been a four-day preparation; it’s been a long-term preparation. I joined Uganda Golf Club as a member this year, with a target of the Open. I was practicing here every day so I have a good understanding of the course and I think that was the advantage I had over the other golfers,” Nsubuga said.
He also highlighted his exceptional putting skills, saying, “I am a very good putter when it comes to the green, and I am really happy it worked for me.”
The tournament’s closing ceremony was an opulent affair, thanks to the generous support of the title sponsor, Johnnie Walker. Golfers and attendees were treated to a Big Flavour experience, reflecting the brand’s commitment to excellence and style.
Among the winners honoured at the ceremony were Conrad Odere, who won the hole-in-one prize of a Motorola smartphone RAZR 40, Titus Okwong, who claimed the nearest-to-the-pin award, and Felix Dusabe, securing the longest drive accolade, which included a Powerology Phantom Portable Bluetooth speaker and a Motorola Smart Phone Moto G.
The evening also featured a captivating performance by Michael Ouma and his band, who treated the audience to timeless Lingala and Soukous music, creating an atmosphere of celebration and joy.
Andrew Kilonzo, Uganda Breweries Managing Director, expressed Johnnie Walker’s commitment to supporting golf in Uganda, highlighting UBL’s longstanding relationship with the sport.
“These past couple of days have definitely been nothing short of exciting! As Johnnie Walker, all our efforts to support the game of golf in Uganda come as no surprise. For years now, our brands- Singleton and Tusker Malt Lager, have been at the forefront as the biggest supporters of golf in the country. Johnnie Walker has now assumed the responsibility to create a long-lasting relationship with the game of golf in Uganda, and we aren’t about to stop,” Kilonzo said.
In addition to the golf action on the course, Johnnie Walker offered golfers an immersive experience at the hospitality village. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about the iconic whisky’s production process, from blending and aging to tasting. Guests even had the chance to engrave personalised messages on Johnnie Walker bottles, making the event even more memorable.
The 2023 Johnnie Walker Uganda Open will return next week with the Pro-Arm and the Professionals Open, concluding the exciting chapter of this year’s tournament.