Johnnie Walker Blue Club added a touch of luxury to the inaugural Lake Victoria Serena Captain’s Putter Golf Tournament, transforming the traditional 19th-hole experience into an evening of whisky, music, dinner and networking.
The tournament, held on Saturday, September 26, attracted a full field of golfers, who teed off at midday in a shotgun start across different tee boxes.
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, the event combined competitive golf with an elaborate social experience.
Mugerwa officially teed off at the third hole with a whisky toast, which also marked the launch of the hole.
A Kia Seltos was put up as a hole-in-one prize on the third hole, but it went unclaimed after none of the golfers managed to ace it.
Sahil Halai emerged as the overall winner with 43 points. He walked away with 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,” Halai said.
Other winners included Allan Atuhaire, who took the Guest Winner category with 39 points, while Rhoda Kimera won Ladies Group B with 38 points and Gloria Nanyonga topped Ladies Group A with 34 points.
Dr John Byabagambi won Men Group C with 35 points, Patrick Sumata took Men Group B with 38 points, while Henry Kibuuka emerged winner of Men Group A with 39 points.
The side bets were won by Uganda Golf Union President Dr Jackson Were for Best Recovery Shot, Claver Serumaga for Most Balls in Water, Suresh Patel for Biggest Smile and George Nkya for Best Dressed.
Katy Kabenge won Nearest to Pin Ladies, David Batanda took Nearest to Pin Men, Grace Mayiani won Longest Drive Ladies, while Banza Matsiko claimed Longest Drive Men.
After the competition, the 19th hole was turned into a Johnnie Walker Blue Club social experience, bringing together golfers, Blue Club members, business personalities and Mugerwa’s friends.
The evening began with a Johnnie Walker Blue Label toast aboard a yacht, led by Mugerwa alongside Johnnie Walker East Africa Brand Manager Christine Kyokunda, Lake Victoria Serena Director of Golf Theo Van Rooyen and other stakeholders.
Guests were later treated to Johnnie Walker cocktails before dinner and live band entertainment.
The programme also featured a whisky masterclass and a gifting bar where guests could personalise different Johnnie Walker products.
Entertainment was provided by Myko Ouma and the Band, alongside vocalist Elijah Kitaka, who performed some of his popular songs.
Mugerwa said the inaugural tournament had successfully created an experience that went beyond golf.
“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.
Kyokunda said the partnership provided an opportunity for Johnnie Walker to engage consumers while introducing more people to the Blue Club.
“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 fun-filled day,” she said.
Kyokunda added that golf fits into Johnnie Walker’s “Keep Walking” platform and that the brand would continue partnering with the sport.
Lake Victoria Serena’s Van Rooyen confirmed that the Captain’s Putter will become an annual tournament.
Johnnie Walker was joined by DFCU Bank, MTN MoMo, KIA Uganda and NBS in supporting the tournament.
Post a comment