The twelve-year wait

Sep 29, 2003

WINNING a national championship title is every golfer’s dream.

By William Muwonge

Final leader board-top 5
E. Okullo 84 81 83 248
M.Turya 81 80 88 249
M. Ntege 81 87 84 252
A. Owori 85 85 83 253
E. Okatch 85 84 87 256

WINNING a national championship title is every golfer’s dream.

For the new Uganda Ladies Open champion Esther Okullo, the breakthrough came after 12 years of trying.

The born-again produced the best score on Sunday to capture ladies golf’s biggest prize.

“I am excited and want to give glory to God for this achievement,” Okullo told The New Vision.

The champion, who took up the game in 1991, praised her husband Odom Okullo, also a golfer, for the constant guidance.

“He brought me into the game and has always delivered valuable tips,” Okullo said.

Okullo went into the final round four strokes behind last year’s champion Margaret Turyamubugana.

Turya’s lead was cut to one stroke after the front nine on Sunday. She lost eight strokes against five for Okullo failing to chi and putt.

The two players exchanged the lead until the 16th hole when Olullo built a two-stroke lead.

The rivals levelled the 17th before the par-four 18th where Okullo dropped a stroke as Turya secured a par.

Okullo went on to win the crown by one stroke.

Turya acknowledged defeat saying, “I feel happy for Okullo, she played well.”

The open drew leading players of handicap 0-20.

At the sametime, Shruti Masrani carded 143 nett to win the 36-hole subsidiary event for the handicap 21-40 players.

In the men’s subsidiary event also held over two days, skilled player Stephen Katwiremu was one of top performers at 135 nett.

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