Rugumayo finally secures Sunshine Tour card in South Africa

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The hunt has been on since last year for Ronald Rugumayo when he made his first cut on the Sunshine Tour during the VOG Western Cape golf tournament at the Devonvale Golf and Wine Estate course, in Cape Town, South Africa in September.

That was a first for the Ugandan who celebrated the feat with a sh2.5m cheque after he finished 42nd out of the 53 golfers that made the cut; in the 54-hole, sh392m prize money tournament.

Early this year during the DP Tour Magical Kenya Open Rugumayo made further history when he became the first Ugandan to make the cut at the European Tour event where he picked his biggest pay-cheque of his career—sh14m.

Rugumayo who is based in South Africa added an important part of history for the country and his story when he again became the first Ugandan to secure the much sought-after Sunshine Tour Card during the last round of the Qualifying School tournament played at the Heron Banks Golf & River Resort in Johannesburg.

“Achieving a Sunshine Tour card in just my second season is a dream come true, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the encouragement, guidance, and belief of so many people,” Rugumayo stated.

“To my family, manager, friends, coaches, Caddy and fans - your unwavering support and encouragement have means the world to me. Your words of wisdom and unrelenting belief in my abilities have fuelled my passion and drive to succeed.

“I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by each of you. This achievement is not just mine, but ours, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds,” he stated on his Instagram.

The tour card which he grabbed after impressive rounds of 67, 73, 68 & 71, means Rugumayo is now a full member of the Sunshine Tour and will from now on play in big-money tournaments starting with the Zimbabwe Open, May 9-12.

The Sunshine Tour is a series of professional golf tournaments in South Africa that were relaunched in 2000. The tour represents the highest level of competition for male professional golfers in the region. The tour is based predominantly in South Africa with other events being held in Zimbabwe.

Other Ugandans Marvin Kibirige and Deus Willy Kitata are also in South Africa trying to secure the same through other qualifying events.