Kabasweka defends Ikoyi Ladies Golf Open title in Nigeria

________________

Ugandan golfer Peace Kabasweka continued her strong form by successfully defending her title at the 50th Nigeria Ikoyi Ladies Golf Open, held at the Ikoyi Club 1938 golf course.

The captain of the national ladies’ team finished with a total of 16-over 232 after 54 holes, winning the annual championship by seven strokes. She beat her teammate and former winner Gloria Mbaguta by the same margin, extending her strong record in one of Nigeria’s leading women’s amateur tournaments.

Kabasweka opened the competition with a five-over 77, repeated the same score in the second round and closed with a six-over 78. This year’s total was an improvement on her previous winning tally of 250, when she won by 13 strokes with rounds of 83, 77 and 80.

“It was a great experience competing in a field with some of the best players from different countries,” Kabasweka said.

The victory is expected to boost her World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) from her pre-tournament position of 261st.

This marked the fourth time a Ugandan has won the event, following earlier triumphs by Irene Nakalembe and Gloria Mbaguta in 2018 and 2022, respectively. The tournament attracted 111 players from eight countries. Another Ugandan, Patricia Mbabazi, finished 41st overall.

Held from November 12 to 14, this year’s edition was a highlight of the club’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, bringing together top amateur golfers from across and beyond Nigeria and offering a strong display of talent on one of the country’s most respected courses.

Four-time winner Evelyn Oyome of Nigeria finished fifth.