Namakula takes day-one lead at Ladies Golf Open
Oct 16, 2014
Flavia Namakula shot an opening round of 72 gross to take the lead as the 64th edition of the Uganda Ladies Open tournament teed off at Kitante on Thursday.l
By Michael Nsubuga
Flavia Namakula shot an opening round of 72 gross to take the lead as the 64th edition of the Uganda Ladies Open tournament teed off at Kitante on Thursday.
The handicap 1 golfer and 2011 winner, hit five birdies en-route to taking the one-day lead at the par 72 course. She birdied holes 1, 3, 6, 8 and 18 to lead the field that has attracted golfers from Kenya, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
“It was a bit challenging but I just played my game. I will just take it easy tomorrow (today) because I’m not worried of anyone, I will just play the course,” Namakula said
In second place, going into Friday’s action is national team golfer Harriet Kitaka who returned 74 gross while Tanzania’s Iddi Madina is third with 76 gross.
The Tanzanian believes she can improve her scores since she did not have time for practice.
“The competition is tight as everyone seems to be on form and wants to win but I will definitely improve as we go along,” Madina who won the Entebbe ladies open last year said.
Zimbabwe’s Loyce Chingono (80 gross) is fourth while Uganda’s Rose Azuba is in fifth with 81 gross.
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Angel Eaton reacts to a putt on day-one of the Uganda Ladies Open at Kitante. PHOTO: Michael Nsubuga
Another Tanzanian and defending champion Angel Eaton who played with a hip injury is ten strokes off the leader. Eaton is seeking a hat-trick while Namakula is fighting to reclaim the championship she last won in 2011 at Kitante before Eaton won at the same venue in 2012 and at Entebbe last year.
The subsidiary event that has attracted over thirty players tees off today alongside day-two of the main event before the final day’s action and the men’s subsidiary event on Saturday.
The three-day event is sponsored by Sheraton, Crown Beverages, Castle Lite, UAP, Pinnacle Security, Motor care, MTN and Kenya Ports Authority.
Top ten - Day one
Flavia Namakula 72 gross
Harriet Kitaka 74
Iddi Madina 76
Loyce Chingono 80
Rose Azuba 81
Eva Magala 82
Angel Eaton 82
Irene Nakalembe 82
Gloria Mbaguta 83
Meron Kyomugisha 83
Past winners
2003: Esther Okullo (Uganda)
2004: Rose Naliaka (Kenya)
2005: Sophie Viggo (Tanzania)
2006: Mary Karano (Kenya)
2007: Mary Karano (Kenya)
2008: Melissa Nawa (Zambia)
2009: Jasper Kamukama (Uganda)
2010: Flavia Namakula (Uganda)
2011: Flavia Namakula (Uganda)
2012: Angel Eaton (Tanzania)
2013: Angel Eaton (Tanzania)
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