Kampala, Uganda | URN | Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort hosted its inaugural Captain’s Putter Golf Tournament on September 26, bringing together golfers, business executives and entertainment enthusiasts for a day of competition followed by an evening of music and networking.
The tournament, hosted by Lake Victoria Serena Golf Captain Jimmy Mugerwa, who is also Chairman of the Uganda
Breweries Limited Board and Patron of the Johnnie Walker Blue Club, attracted golfers competing across different categories.
The competition began at midday with a shotgun start, with Mugerwa teeing off at the third hole following a whisky toast.
The occasion also marked the launch of the third hole, where a Kia Seltos was offered as a hole-in-one prize. However, no golfer managed to claim the vehicle.
Sahil Halai emerged as the overall winner with 43 points, taking home a trophy, a Callaway Odyssey 2-Ball Putter and a Cornerstone hamper.
“It was an amazing round, unbelievable golf I played out there. You know, one of those, I think it happens to everyone, they say that once in a while you just have a round where everything just keeps going the way it should be. So it was amazing,” Sahil said.
Other winners included Allan Atuhaire, who claimed the guest category with 39 points, Rhoda Kimera, who won Ladies Group B with 38 points, and Gloria Nanyonga, who topped Ladies Group A with 34 points.
In the men’s categories, Dr John Byabagambi won Group C with 35 points, Patrick Sumata claimed Group B with 38 points, while Henry Kibuuka emerged winner of Group A with 39 points.
The tournament also featured several side competitions, with Uganda Golf Union President Dr Jackson Were winning the Best Recovery Shot award. Other winners included Claver Serumaga for Most Balls in Water, Suresh Patel for Biggest Smile and George Nkya for Best Dressed.
Katy Kabenge and David Batanda won the nearest-to-the-pin competitions for women and men, respectively, while Grace Mayiani and Banza Matsiko claimed the longest-drive awards.
Johnnie Walker brings entertainment to the 19th hole Beyond the competition, Johnnie Walker Blue Club hosted the tournament’s 19th-hole experience, bringing together golfers, members of Uganda’s business community and invited guests for an evening of entertainment and networking.
The celebrations began with a Johnnie Walker Blue Label toast aboard a yacht, led by Mugerwa alongside Johnnie Walker East Africa Brand Manager Christine Kyokunda and Lake Victoria Serena Director of Golf Theo Van Rooyen.
Guests were later treated to dinner, cocktails, a whisky masterclass and a gifting experience that allowed them to personalise Johnnie Walker products.
Speaking at the event, Mugerwa thanked the tournament’s sponsors, golfers and organisers for supporting the inaugural competition.
“I was initially a little worried about the weather, but thankfully everything came together beautifully. The inaugural Captain’s Putter has been a tremendous success, and I want to thank our partners, the golfers, the Serena team and everyone who came out to support us,” Mugerwa said.
“We wanted to create an experience that went beyond the golf, bringing people together to enjoy the game, good company and meaningful conversations. I am particularly pleased with how the Johnnie Walker Blue Club experience has come together and how it has brought together not just our members, but different people. I look forward to seeing the Captain’s Putter grow,” he added.
For Johnnie Walker, the tournament provided an opportunity to engage existing customers and introduce new members to its Blue Club, which brings together consumers through exclusive social experiences.
Kyokunda said the partnership reflected the brand’s continued investment in golf as a platform for customer engagement and networking.
“We have had an amazing experience, engaging our consumers about the Johnnie Walker brand, and more importantly the Johnnie Walker Blue Club. I am happy to announce that we managed to get more members sign up for the Blue Club. It’s been quite a wonderful action and funfilledday. Golf is very synonymous with our Keep Walking platform, because every step forward counts, this is a platform that we will continue to partner with,” Kyokunda said.
The evening’s entertainment featured performances by guitarist Myko Ouma and his band, alongside singer Elijah Kitaka, who performed several of his popular songs.
The combination of golf, entertainment and business networking reflects the growing use of sporting events by corporate brands to engage customers and build relationships beyond traditional advertising.
Van Rooyen announced that the Captain’s Putter will become an annual event on Lake Victoria Serena’s golfing calendar
