For most of the year, Ronald Rugumayo has hogged the golf headlines in Uganda for his exploits in Kenya, South Africa, and Europe. But while Rugumayo’s professional career has been on an upward trajectory, another Ugandan has been swinging tremendously and generating the sort of vibes that can only elevate the game in the country.
Godfrey Nsubuga, the 2023 Uganda Amateur Open champion, has somewhat had to take a backseat, partly because he is based so far away in the US. However, Nsubuga’s career continues to break barriers. On Thursday, he will represent Uganda at the 124th US Amateur Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota. He will be the first Ugandan in history to compete in the US Amateur Championship.
Nsubuga will tee off as one of 312 players who will play one round at Hazeltine and Chaska Town Course, after which the field will be trimmed to 64 for match play. The champion and runner-up will both receive exemptions into the 2025 US Open at Oakmont, as well as likely invitations to the Masters Tournament in April. The winner also gets a spot at the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
The Mehta-born-and-bred Nsubuga, who is joining Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina, will make more history by becoming the first golfer from WSSU to qualify for the USGA event.
“My target is to play good golf,” Nsubuga said. “I also want to have fun and hopefully make the cut. After the US Amateur Championship, I will be flying back home to defend my title.”
Other rated amateurs taking part include John Daly II, son of two-time major champion John Daly, Jackson Koivu, Gordon Sargent, and Evan Thompson. Nsubuga has been drawn to tee off alongside Americans Brett Podobinski and Eric Lee.
Competing at that level will mark a remarkable meteoric rise for a golfer whose immeasurable talent is befitting of the platform he is playing on today. Having started out as a caddie, his story will serve as an inspiration to the hundreds, if not thousands, of young golfers all over the country who want to build a career academically while still playing golf.
