Kabenge expects Ugandans to shine in Ladies Open

Uganda Ladies Golf Union executive member Katy Kabenge is one of the most successful golfers at the Uganda Golf Club having won several competitions at the Kitante course.

But she is not counting herself among this year's contenders of the Tusker Malt Lager Uganda Ladies Open, though she is a competitor in the main event of the ladies 54-hole competition.

"The competition has never been this big. We have the likes of Iddi Madina who is handicap 3, Vicky Erias, who has played several times at Kitante, Agnes Nyakio from Kenya who finished fourth last year, Neema Olomi, Hawa Wanyeche and two-time winner Angel Eaton who knows what it takes to win at Kitante and has always given Flavia Namakula a run before she won, so this open is truly an open and it is going to be a tough one, and the following will be big this time," Kabenge stated at Kitante on Tuesday.

Kabenge who plays off handicap 12 is grateful to the sponsors for partnering with the Uganda Golf Union in sponsoring the ladies tournament.

Eva Magala celebrates a birdie on hole 12 last year. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

"As the ladies union we are very pleased to have Tusker and all the other co-sponsors on board and we are all set to go for the main event. On Monday night we received a team of ten from Nigeria and this morning (Tuesday) we received a team of four from Kenya while the Tanzanians are expected tomorrow (yesterday) morning and this time round we are going to have a very big competition because we have over 20 players under handicap 7, and we don't know who is going to take it" Kabenge noted.

"We also have the home field which is led by Irene Nakalembe and since Namakula has turned pro, the onus is on her to keep Uganda's flag flying, though we have others like Eva Magala, Gloria Mbaguta, Harriet Kitaka, who also know this competition very well and should also probably be in position to keep Uganda's flag up, but we are glad to have all sponsors on board and all is going well and we are looking forward to tee off," Kabenge said.

She said the weather will not be an issue as most golfers are used to playing in almost all conditions and should not stop anyone from giving it their best.

"We are happy that the competition is much wider and if you win with such a big competition then it is truly a big win," Kabenge noted.