Eva Magala believes her Uganda Golf Club Ladies Open win can inspire her to win her first Uganda Ladies Open title at this year’s edition that tees off on Thursday.

She was over the moon after she won her first Uganda Golf Club (UGC) Ladies Open at Kitante on Saturday.

Magala who has often played second fiddle in several local tournaments before, including in the past four editions of this particular competition, carded an overall 228 gross over 54 holes to win her first major in ladies organised events at the club in 17 years.

Magala, who finished fourth in the last edition beat her nearest challengers Judith Komugisha and defending champion Peace Kabasweka by three strokes to claim the fifth edition championship that came with a trophy, a Wilson golf bag, golf balls and two nights for two at Emini Pasha hotel, and at the Park View Safari Lodges and or at the Gorilla Heights in Bwindi.

Magala (2nd left) receives her prizes from Gorilla Heights' Dickson Kateshumbwa (2nd right) and Angudeyo (right), as ULGU’s Doreen Mwesigye (left) looks on. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

“Each shot I made, I kept on thinking about the many years I had spent without winning a major. Day one was tiresome but I took it easy because I couldn’t fathom what would happen. I’m now fired up for the Uganda Open,” Magala said.

“I struggled with my putting on the back nine on day two but I had promised myself to win it so I kept my head down in the final round. As you know, I have been playing good golf throughout my career but the opens had eluded me, but today I thank God that he has been around for me,” Magala said.

Magala was trailing overnight leader Kabasweka by two strokes by hole 11 but a par on hole-12 brought her back in the game, where the latter got a seven.

“That par on hole 12 was the king maker because I was trailing by two strokes then and I had to remain focused.”

“I want to thank the UGC members who have been here since 1996 when I joined this club. Those who have encouraged me, those who have waited for my winnings, those who have waited for my majors; thank you very much,” Magala stated as she gave her victory speech on the 19^th hole.

“I would like to thank my opponents; Komugisha, Kabasweka and Babirye for giving me good competition, because I didn’t want to leave the amateur ranks with a bad record, I wanted to leave with an open. I want to thank my children whose hearts I have broken several times; my husband and my brother for being supportive of my career,”

I don’t know what will happen next week but I want to say adieu to amateur golf. I leave the amateur ranks with a lot of satisfaction that I have done it,” Magala stated.

Magala who led the women's national team qualifiers and was part of the team that is going to represent Uganda at the All Africa Challenge Trophy championship in Kigali this month forfeited her position to youngster Judith Kyomugisha who finished second after producing the best score of the last round and tournament (a one-over 73).

On another day, Komugisa could have nicked it after she played one-over 73 in the last round where she notched 16 pars, one birdie and one bogey on holes 8 and 11 respectively.

Top Three: Silver Category

Eva Magala 75 78 75 228

Judith Komugisha 80 78 73 231c/b

Peace Kabasweka 76 76 79 231

1^st 18holes winner: Harriet Kitaka 80c/b

2^nd 18holes winner: Martha Babirye 76

3^rd 18holes winner: Melon Kyomugisha 80

Nett Category

Berna Musanabera 68 73 68 209c/b

Edrae Kagombe 67 71 71 209

Resty Nalutaaya 65 70 75 210

Bronze category-gross

Irumua Matutina 82 90 172

Diana Nabukenya 97 87 184c/b

Hadijja Nampijja 96 89 185c/b

Bronze category-nett

Robinah Angom 65 74 139

Angel Kaya 71 68 139c/b

Flora Ihunde 65 66 131

Longest rives

Vincent Katutsi

Melon Kyomugisha                                                                                          

Nearest to the Pin

Henry Mbonye

Faith Namara

Subsidiary Category

Ladies

Caroline Amullen 46pts

Hellen Lunkuse 35c/b

Mens Group A

Aggrey Mutaka 37pts

Lawrence Walakira 37

Group B

Bernard Walimbwa 43

Robert Mabano 41

Group C

Nicholas Mandela 43

Joseph Okudi 40

Seniors

Jennifer Opio 142

Grace Obua 154c/b

Seniors (Men)

Moses Turyatemba 41

Charles Katarikawe 36