I&M Bank Katogo Golf Series returns with exciting new twists, receiving Sh650m financial boost for 2025 edition.

The I&M Bank Katogo Golf Series is back with new twists and turns. The 2025 edition was launched on Monday, March 3rd, at I&M Bank's head office at Kingdom Kampala by its stakeholders.

This year's edition has received a Sh650m financial boost from its partners, an increase of Sh160m from the previous season's sponsorship package.

The series will officially tee off on March 15 at Entebbe Club. The second quarterly event will take place on March 31, the third on August 9, while the grand finale will be held on November 29.

At the press launch, I&M Bank CEO Robin Bairstow told the media that he'll be among the first players on the tee box during the opening quarterly event, eager to set the tone for an exciting season.

He added that the series is more than just golf—it has helped build amazing, lasting relationships, created opportunities for growth, and supported communities.

"I&M Bank Katogo Golf Series is beyond just enjoying the game of golf. We are proud to have impacted the communities that makes the game of golf more enjoyable. Last year, we donated Shs 20 million to support school-going caddies and children of the course maintainace staff at the Entebbe Club. We are committed to doing the same this year," Bairstow stated.

"We look forward to seeing the competition grow, bringing new experiences, and I believe the new formats of play for each event will bring out the best in every player, and shall create an exciting and competitive atmosphere for all participants," he said, adding that they'll feature a special guest—a renowned football legend—in one of the 19th hole experiences this year, thanks to their partnership with Xcalibur Foundation.

Katogo Captain Elly Mukasa expressed his excitement for the return of the series, highlighting how it continuously tests the commitment of all stakeholders.

"Organizing the I&M Bank Katogo Golf Series is no easy task because expectations grow with each quarterly event. Together with our partners, we go through a lot to maintain the high standards and ensure we meet the expectations of all golfers," he said adding that the series will continue as long as it keeps providing value to the golfing community.

He also revealed plans for the series to go regional once again this year. After holding their first cross-border event at Limuru Country Club in Kenya last year, there are plans to host an event in Kigali, Rwanda, this year.

Entebbe Club Captain Serwano Walusimbi praised the series for its positive impact not only on the players but also on those working behind the scenes.

"The series has uplifted those who often go unnoticed—the hardworking caddies and course staff. It helps create opportunities for them, making them feel valued," Walusimbi said.

"Entebbe Club is ready to host the series this year. We're fully prepared to make sure that every participant has an incredible experience, on and off the course," he added.

I&M Bank Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Annette Nakiyaga, noted that this year's series promises to be even more exciting, with the bank planning to leverage its partnerships to provide a memorable experience for golfers both on and off the course.

"Together with our partners, we aim to make the series the perfect platform where golfers can connect, share ideas, and build relationships that go beyond the course. That’s what Katogo is all about! From humble beginnings, the series has grown into a large community, made up of industry leaders from various fields," Nakiyaga said.

Tournament Director Paul Kaheru revealed that the series will feature two new formats this season. The 'Rejected' format will be introduced in the first quarterly event, while 'For Better orWorse' will debut in the second. Meanwhile, 'Daytona,' set for the third event, and 'In Regulation,' reserved for the season finale, were used in previous edition.

In the 'Rejected' format, teams of two (no mixed pairs) tee off at each hole. The opposing team then decides where the second shots will be played from, and players must move their balls to that position, no more than one scorecard length away from their partner's ball. The better nett score from the pair on each hole counts as the team score, but each team has six opportunities to reject the opposing team's chosen position and select their own. At these rejected holes, the worse nett score becomes the team’s score.

For the 'For Better or Worse', the teams will again consist of two players, but this time, each player plays their own ball, and the team’s score is based on Stableford points. The team must declare which nine holes will use the better score and which will use the worse score, while also limiting the number of clubs they can use for the better score side.

Mixed pairs are allowed in the 'Daytona' event on 9th August, where the players record their nett scores and pair them together, with the lower number being the team’s score.

The 'In Regulation,' format is an individual competition where players must land on the green in regulation or face a penalty, unless they score par or better.

The series has once again been spiced up with a hole-in-one prize: an Outlander Sport (X-force), courtesy of Victoria Motors. The prize is insured by GA Insurance, who are also partners of the series.

The other partners of the series are; Rwanda Air, Johnnie Walker, NBS Sport, Fenon Events, Serena Hotel, Lake Victoria Golf Resort & Spa, Time Cop Security, and Goldman’s Luxury.