I&M Bank Katogo Golf Series returns with exciting formats of play, gets Uganda Golf Union accreditation
The 2024 I&M Bank Katogo Golf Series edition is scheduled to tee off on Saturday March 9 at the Entebbe Club. The series will then take a two-month break and returns for the second round on June 29th.
Coming off a 2023 edition which received plaudits for ticking all boxes on and off the course, the I&M Bank Katogo Golf Series returns bigger and better, especially after receiving accreditation from the Uganda Golf Union.
The routine dictates that after a long day of golf on the course, a 19th hole experience themed with entertainment and celebrating the day’s winners. But the I&M Bank Katogo Golf Series set a different norm, as every edition ensured the fun is fused into the actual golfing experience on the course.
The 2024 I&M Bank Katogo Golf Series has lined up four exciting formats of play; In regulation, Tee for me, Russian Chicago Stableford and The Double Bogey Danger formats. The first edition will be played under the ’In regulation’ format. The format is an individual event, where a player must land on the green in regulation. Failure to do so will warrant a penalty of an extra stroke. But if one’s final score on the hole is a par or better, the penalty shall be waived.
The second format will be ‘Tee for me,’ and will be a pairs affair. The format dictates that both players tee off at every hole, but switch balls on the second shot and play that particular ball until they hole out. The better net score for each pair is what will be considered as the team score for 13 holes. However, each team will choose six holes where they will have to tee off and play their respective balls till they hole out, and the worse net score will count as the team score on these holes.
Come the penultimate round, golfers will have to navigate the ‘Russian Chicago Stableford’ format. This will be a pairs format, where each player will record individual points per hole, and at the end of the round, the pair will multiply their points to get a team score on each hole.
The ‘Double Bogey Danger’ format of play will be the grand climax of the series. In this intriguing format, players tee off with their full set of clubs, but for every double bogey or worse score, a player will decommission a club of their choice from their bag. The player will be allowed to get back their club when they score a par or birdie.
I&M Bank CEO Robin Bairstow believes that the game of golf is fast growing in the country, and emphasized the bank’s is commitment to supporting the sport till it hits its peak.
“Sports plays a vital role in the socio-economic growth and transformation of communities. I&M Bank has a strong commitment to sports and other activities that bring communities together. We strongly believe that investing in sports helps foster a culture of unity and healthy competition. This is why we are committing to be the anchor sponsors of the tournament for the next three years,” said Mr. Bairstow.
The new Katogo Captain, Elly Kibuuka, promised golfers and all stakeholders an exciting I&M Bank Katogo Golf Series 2024 season.
“I commend the efforts of my outgoing Captain- Hannington Mpiima. He set a strong foundation for the I&M Bank Katogo Golf Series, and he truly upheld the values of the Katogo family. The captaincy is a huge responsibility, but I am sure with this kind of resourceful family, my job will become a shared responsibility, and therefore easier and enjoyable,” Kibuuka said.
I&M Bank Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs- Annette Nakiyaga, urged all golfers to make it a point to be part of the I&M Bank Katogo Golf Series 2024 season, in order to enjoy a different and exciting golfing experience.
“The formats of each I&M Bank Katogo Golf Series edition are not just exciting, but are a first for all of us. We also have lots of amazing prizes lined up from our different sponsors. Golf isn't just a wonderful way to make friends and keep fit, but it’s a critical vessel in building business relationships and closing deals,” she said.
Having built a reputation that has seen it earn recognition on the Uganda Golf Union calendar, the I&M Bank Katogo Golf Series remains focussed on its core objective of becoming a top regional tournament.
