Tanzanian Olomi takes four-stroke lead in the Uganda Ladies Golf Open

Tanzanian Neema Olomi carded an opening round of two-over 73 to take a five-stroke lead as the Johnnie Walker Uganda Ladies Golf Open Championship got underway at the Lugazi Hills Golf and Country Club yesterday.

Olomi notched four birdies on the par-four holes one and 18 and on the par-5s holes 7 and 17 to take a four-stroke lead ahead of Ugandan Martha Babirye, who returned 6-over 77 in the opening round of the 54-hole competition.

“My long hits helped me a lot. I made sure I arrived on the greens early, and the course is very nice, though some greens are fast and the others not,” Olomi said.

“But it is a difficult course, but I’m happy for today, and God willing, I hope to maintain that,” Olomi, who won the same championship in Entebbe in 2018, stated.

Kenyan Ashley Awour chips from a bunker on hole-9. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Three-time winner Babirye managed only one birdie on the par-4 hole-18 but hopes to improve in the subsequent rounds to register her fourth Uganda Ladies Open crown on the course at which she won the Pearl of Africa Golf Series championship last month.

“I had a positive round because I was swinging well, and all I can say is I’m positive for this championship,” Babirye said. “I have played many rounds here, and I won an event here last month. The course is very nice, and there are two more rounds to go so I’m sure I can still make it. The fairways are good, and I have a very good caddie, and there was no rain, so everything went well today. But there is no room for error on this course so you have to be precise with your shots.,” Babirye, who scored ten pars and 7 bogeys, stated.

Kenyan Mercy Nyachama finished round one in third place after she returned 7-over 78 while another Kenyan Ashley Awour is tied in fourth place with ‘home girl’ Winnie Musuya after they each returned 80.

Defending champion Tanzania’s Iddy Madina attacked a blind course and started well only to collapse on the back where she scored a 9 on the longest 567-yard par-5 hole-11. An additional 8 bogeys and a double bogey on the par-4 hole 4 did not help her cause, finishing with an 84 (+13). But she also remains positive and hopes to recover in the remaining 36 holes.

“I had a tough opening round. I started well, but along the way I had a nine, which compounded my round. It is my first time here, I had no practice but I remain positive. I have seen the course now so let us see what happens tomorrow,” Madinah said.

“But this is a challenging course with its hills and valleys. But I was comfortable with it save for the two problematic holes. I didn’t get exhausted because I do a lot of hiking so it wasn’t a big deal. I will try to play safe in the subsequent rounds and see how it goes,” Madina stated.

Round 1: Top ten

Neema Olomi (TZ) 73

Martha Babirye (UG) 77

Mercy Nyachama (KEN) 78

Winnie Musuya (UG) 80

Ashley Awour (KEN) 80

Lillian Koowe (UG) 82

Joan Nampeewo (UG) 84

Iddy Madina (TZ) 84

Meron Kyomugisha (UG) 85

Frista Birabwa (UG) 85