Tanzania's Olomi takes early lead as Uganda Ladies Open gets underway

Tanzanian Neema Olomi shot an opening round 3-over 75 to take a two-stroke lead as the 88th Johnnie Walker Uganda Ladies Open teed off at the Uganda Golf Club on Thursday.

Olomi, who is gunning for her second Uganda Ladies Open title, having won it in Entebbe in 2018, notched one birdie and four bogeys in the opening round to take a two-stroke lead ahead of her compatriot Hawa Wanyeche and Ugandan Judith Komugisha, who finished with a 5-over 77 each, tied in second.

Olomi’s almost perfect round was dented by bogeys on holes 1, 5, 9, and 15, with her only birdie coming on the par-5 13. But her outing was better than Wanyeche's, who managed two birdies on the par-5s 5 and 13 but registered more bogeys (5) and a double on hole 8.

Judith Komugisha in action during the UGC Ladies Open at Kitante. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Just like Wanyeche, Ugandan Komugisha registered 5 bogeys and a double on the par-4 12, despite birding holes 5 and 17.

“I had a really solid round today; my swing felt great. Sure, I had a couple of minor slip-ups, like on holes 12 and 7, where I didn't hit my best shots. But overall, my swing was strong, and my putting was on point,” Komugisha said.

On hole 12, I ended up hitting my second shot into the water, which is why I got a 6 there. But I promise to do better tomorrow, keep working on my game, stick to my usual routine, and hopefully bring in a lower score,” Komugisha stated.

Uganda’s biggest hopes for the tournament, Peace Kabasweka, Martha Babirye, and youngster Keisha Kagoro, finished with a uniform 6-over 78. Kabasweka blamed her swing for her poor display in the opening round and immediately went to the range to try and fix the problem.

Another Tanzanian, Ayne Magombe, who shot 80 and is a regular competitor in the annual event, said she was praying that one of the six Tanzanians in the competition wins it.

“We always endeavour to participate in this event because it is one of our biggest tournaments in East Africa. So, we always try and make it,” she said. “The course was amazing, apart from the showers that we had in the morning. Everything else was perfect; the course was well-maintained; it has always been the same.”

“I could have played better, but I had a hiccup here and there, and I managed to recover on the back nine. So, I'm hoping for a better golf day tomorrow. The greens are a bit faster this time, although we had some rain, but they're still a bit too fast. “Well, there are 6 of us, so there are 6 chances of winning the tournament. And we have solid players, so the competition is on, the challenge is on, UG, watch out,” Magombe vowed.

Neema Olomi (TZ) 75

Hawa Wanyeche (TZ) 77

Judith Komugisha (UG) 77

Peace Kabasweka (UG) 78

Keisha Kagoro (UG) 78

Martha Babirye (UG) 78

Joyce Kisembo (UG) 79

Victoria Taiko (TZ) 79

Ayne Magombe (TZ) 80

Assa Nambogwe (UG) 80

Lillian Koowe (UG) 80