Kampala — Twelve years ago, 44- year-old James Tigabasa was the only professional golfer Uganda could boast of although he wasn't locally based.

But fast forward to today, there are no less than 15 golfers affiliated to the ever-growing Uganda Professional Golfers Association (UPGA).

Although the indication is supposed to mean that there is mass improvement in the standards of the game and general well being of golfers alike, the reverse is true. There is no denying that the new breed of golfers in Uganda comprises of equally talented, ambitious and capable role-model young men keen to build enviable careers for themselves. But what is the real problem?

Rushed decisions

The legendary Tigabasa argues that the current crop of professionals, despite the possessing vast skills, made rushed decisions to join the paid ranks. "It's great to have several professionals in Uganda. I wish there was as many before I left. I'm happy they have started something," quipped Tigabasa in praise of UPGA.

"But there is still a lot to be done. They have to improve on their game for sure. And improving on their game means they have to get somebody better than them to be able to raise the bar," added Tigabasa.

Many a time in the local tournaments, some professionals have turned in amateurish scores that have exposed their frailties as top performers. This is testament to Tigabasa's notion about the need for more experienced tutors to fine-tune the 'young brothers'.

Sponsorship woes

Being a professional means that one has the freedom to do what they desire and earn from their sweat but like any Ugandan professional can attest it has come at a cost.

And the price paid has come in terms of sacrifice. But much of the sacrifice is destined to go down the drain in this Ugandan environment that hardly attracts sponsorship for a game like golf that is considered - a richman's game and non-crowd puller to the corporate world.

"There is hardly any meaningful or any sponsorship for both we players as individuals and tournaments. The prize money is also very little. Many corporate companies stake Shs3m for us to share and if you take home Shs300,000 once in a while, these guys will never develop," commented UPGA captain Deo Akope.

"If the prize money is little, the guys will not even have enough money to tip their own caddies and risk a gambling game to improve their skill. We need sponsorship as a growing association and we need the corporate world to come out unrestrained to back us," added Akope.

Thinking big

Like Tigabasa who, is in line to be the first African member of the United States Professional Golfers Association (UPGA and has already rubbed shoulders with some of the world's best including number one Tiger Woods and won a handful of Professionals Golfers Association (PGA) Tours in Europe, the local-based professionals are thinking big as well.

uganda telecom-sponsored Dennis Anguyo hopes to attract international recognition by signing up for England's high profile Players Tour early next year whereas Amos Kamya hopes to emulate South Africa's best Ernie Els by designing a top of the range course in Dubai.

That said, Deo Akope and Godfrey Mande, in particular, harbour bigger dreams. While they know it's a long shot but Akope hopes to hoist the Claret Jug (British Open) some day while Mande's wish is to slip on the Green Jacket at the U.S Masters.

MTN Professionals Circuit

Leaderboard as of October

G. Mande 42,899 pts

D. Akope 37, 233

D. Lagoro 19,200

S. Birungi 17,833

D. Anguyo 16,316

A. Kamya 16, 300

H. Mutawe 13,250

E. Ruterana 8,566

S. Atibu 6,400

G. Ayella 2,950

S. Kasaija 2,700

D. Onyango 2, 450

G. Olayo 400