Kabasweka praying for luck as UGC Ladies open tees-off
In 2019, Babirye overcame an overnight four-shot deficit to beat Kabasweka and the rest of the field to the championship with an aggregate score of 149 over the two rounds. Kabasweka carded 150.
Kabasweka is praying for good luck in order to defend her title. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
NewVision Reporter
@NewVision
Defending champion Peace Kabasweka and former winner Martha Babirye are the front runners as the fifth edition of the Uganda Golf Club (UGC) Ladies Open tees off at Kitante on Thursday.
Over the past three editions since the inaugural winner Entebbe’s Irene Nakalembe turned pro, having won the first edition in 2018, it has been Babirye and Kabasweka fighting it out for the first place.
In 2019, Babirye overcame an overnight four-shot deficit to beat Kabasweka and the rest of the field to the championship with an aggregate score of 149 over the two rounds. Kabasweka carded 150.
Babirye is eyeing her third UGC Ladies Open title. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
The third edition was again a tightly contested affair between the two with Babirye this time winning it after a sudden-death play-off after both golfers had tied on 231 gross each after 54 holes. Babirye trailed by four strokes going into the final round but played better than her opponent in the last round to win her second title.
But last year in what was a stellar performance throughout the season for her, Kabasweka finally broke the duck by winning it, this time edging Gloria Mbaguta by a stroke after she returned 227 over the three rounds. Babirye finished third with 231 with Eva Magala a further seven strokes in fourth.
“I’m ready to defend it. I've done more range sessions to ensure that my swing is good enough for the tournament. I am praying for good luck,” Kabasweka, who three months ago won the Namulonge ladies open as she returned from maternity leave, said.
On her part Babirye who has played more tournaments in Kenya this year and recently won the Kenya Ladies Open Golf Tour is also eager to go for her third title.
“I’m well prepared, the course is in good shape, the rain has been mild so the course is okay and my game is fine. I have high chances of winning it,” Babirye stated.
UGC captain Wendy Angudeyo, Judith Komugisa, Bridget Basiima, Kabale's Meron Kyomugisha, Harriet Kitaka, Gloria Mbaguta among others from Sweden, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia will also be gunning for their first.
Entebbe Club’s Irene Nakalembe won the inaugural edition in 2018 before Babirye topped the (2019 & 2021) editions and before defending champion Kabasweka’s triumph last year