Golfer Namakula bags fourth ladies title

Jul 19, 2015

Flavia Namakula returned 229 gross over 54 holes to win the Uganda Ladies Open Golf Championships at Kitante on Saturday

By Michael Nsubuga            
 
Flavia Namakula returned 229 gross over 54 holes to win the Uganda Ladies Open Golf Championships at Kitante on Saturday.


The handicap 1, UPDF sergeant beat her national women team teammate Eva Magala by four strokes to claim her fourth title and second consecutive in two years. She also claimed the longest drive prize on the 18th fairway.

But it wasn't as easy as it was last year for the 28 year old who had to starve off a hard fighting Eva Magala en-route to her win.

"It wasn't easy the course was playing difficult and the opponents I played with were up to the challenge, so it wasn't easy," Namakula said.



Flavia Namakula celebrates with her trophy after the Tusker Malt Lager Uganda Ladies Open at Kitante, July 18 2015. Photo/Michael Nsubuga

"I just remained calm despite the few hiccups I got on some holes, with my caddie assuring me that I was capable of beating them," Namakula remarked.

The champion was leading by two strokes on the front nine but Magala caught up on the 12th hole where she scored a par with Namakula getting a bogey.

But Magala went on to falter on the next hole, picking a 6 with Namakula's 4 restoring her two stroke lead.

Magala continued to struggle on the subsequent holes 15 and 16 scoring registering bogeys on both holes with Namakula getting pars, to hand her the advantage and consequently the championship.

"When I lost two strokes on No.13 and she took another stroke off me on No.16, I knew the game was over," Magala conceded at the end.



Zimbabwe's Loyce Chingono (center) receives her trophy from Kin Karisa and Mike Kigozi of NBS after the Tusker Malt Lager Uganda Ladies Open at Kitante, July 18 2015. Photo/Michael Nsubuga

Irene Nakalembe who was ten strokes off the winner finished third with Zimbabwe's Loyce Chingono and Zambia's 18 year old Tina Nawa finishing 5th overall.

Youth MP for northern Uganda Evelyn Anite presided over the prize ceremony of the event and urged the women to recruit more youth into the sport, before she promised to also start playing.

Zambian Moono Mwila the trustee of the AACT also challenged Ugandan ladies to recruit more youth, promising to carry 'a track load' of youthful competitors at next year's event.

The subsidiary event was won by John Mugyenzi who carded 161 gross over 36 holes.

Meanwhile the Seniors Open that teed off yesterday ends today at the same venue.

This year's Uganda Open golfing bonanza is sponsored by Uganda Breweries under their premier brand Tusker Malt Lager.

Other sponsors are Caesar Kingdom, Sheraton Kampala Hotel, HTC Hub, AAR, Pinnacle Security, Roke Telecom, Le P'tit Quebec, Africell and golfer John Katto.
 
Results


Leader board- Top 5
Flavia Namakula 229
Eva Magala 233
Irene Nakalembe 239
Loyce Chingono (ZIM) 241
Tina Nawa (ZAM) 245
 
1st 18 holes winner: Gloria Mbaguta 79 gross
2nd 18 holes winner: Merlon Kyomugisha 80
3rd 18 holes winner: Harriet Kitaka  80
Nett winner Lim Mi Sung 200 nett
R-up: Wayua Mululu 209 nett
3rd: Prudence Nimukama 210
4th: Lydia Mutesi 212
5th: Esther Okullo 215
6th: Shiela Kesiime 216
Longest drive: Flavia Namakula
Nearest to the pin: Gloria Mbaguta
 
Subsidiary 36 holes

Gross winner John Mugyenzi 161 gross

Nett winners:
1.    Fred Kimbugwa 138 nett
2.    Hillary Rubaale 142
3.    Moses Ssebugwawo 144
Nearest to the pin: Andrew Muhwezi


 

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