Martha Babirye beat Peace Kabasweka after a sudden-death playoff to successfully defend her Uganda Golf Club (UGC) Ladies Open title on Saturday.

The two ladies' nation team players had tied on 231 gross after 54 holes to send the tie into a sudden death play-off that Babirye won by 2 strokes.

Babirye wrapped up the championship when she got a par at the par-4 hole No.12 which Kabasweka double-bogeyed to lose out despite having started better than her opponent.

“I had just played in the Kakira Open in Jinja so I took long to acclimatize to the Kitante greens but I rediscovered my touch in the last round and got back into it,” Babirye who plays off handicap 4 said.

Lt. Colonel Dr. Henry Kyobe (left) presents the overall winners trophy to Martha Babirye (2nd right) after the UGC Ladies Open at Kitante

“I was four strokes behind but think Kabasweka was unlucky though my shots were very good in the last round, I almost got a hole-in-one on No.17. I kept on improving with each round, the course was in good condition, we didn’t get any rains, so it was good.”

It was a big boost to Babirye who will be looking to defend the Tusker Malt Lager Ladies Open title in the championship that starts on October 18 at Entebbe Club.

Before she won the 2019 Uganda Open, Babirye was coming off winning the UGC Ladies tournament a feat she hopes to repeat this year.

“Sometimes history repeats itself so it can happen again, God willing and since it is the same competition that I will face, I think I have a chance to win my third,” Babirye stated.

Eva Magala finished third overall on 239 gross while Gloria Mbaguta was fourth with 242.

Peace Kabasweka (left) and Martha Babirye chat after their sudden death play-off duirng the UGC Ladies Open at Kitante

Rose Azuba beat Wendy Angudeyo on count-back to claim the net score prize while Caroline Karungi (74pts), Jovia Otim (73pts), and Ruth Ssali (70pts) were the top players in the ladies Bronze Category.

The tournament prize ceremony was presided over by Lt. Colonel Dr. Henry Kyobe who represented the Minister of Health Jane Ruth Achieng. In her message carried by Kyobe, Achieng called on the golfers to get immunized and also carry the message to the rest of the population.

Results

Silver Category

Martha Babirye 231gross S/D

Peace Kabasweka 231

Eva Magala 239

Gloria Mbaguta 242

Nett Category

Rose Azuba 211c/b

Wendy Angudeyo 211

1st 18 Winner: Harriet Kitaka 81 gross

2nd 18 Winner: Meron Kyomugisha 78 gross

3rd 18 Winner: Katy Kabenge 82 gross

Bronze Category

Caroline Karungi 74pts

Jovia Otim 73

Ruth Ssali 70

Lin Li Xuan 69

Nearest to the pin

Ruth Ssali

Longest Drive

Meron Kyomugisha

Caroline Karungi

Group A

Tony Kisadha 68nett

David Plenderlieth 69

Gilbert Asiimwe 70

Group B

Daniel Basweti 62nett

Kato Ssebbaale 67

Moses Muhwezi 67

Group C

George Eggadu 66 nett

Tushar Mashru 69 c/b

Mubarak F 69

Junior Winner

Ivan Nalima 71 nett

Seniors Ladies

Edrae Kagombe 267 gross

Jenina Nasimolo 271 gross

Seniors Men

Charles Katarikawe 69 nett

Moses Turyatemba 72 nett