Ntege races into early Ladies Open lead

By Douglas Mazune

Uganda Ladies Golf Open

Top 10

Monica Ntege 78 

Eva Magala 79 

Angel Eaton 79 

Irene Nakalembe 79 

Flavia Namakula 80 

Hawa Wanyeche 82 

Neema Olomi 84 

Sophia Reffenstein 86

Alphonsine Mukarakatete

Lonah Mwenda

Uganda Golf Club's Monica Ntege fired seven over par 78 to lead the Uganda Ladies Golf Open in Entebbe on Thursday.

Ntege who has been a regular campaigner since the 1990s was one stroke clear of Eva Magala, defending champion Angel Eaton and Entebbe's Irene Nakalembe who shared second spot on the opening day of the 54 holes tournament.

Flavia Namakula who won the tournament in 2010 and 2011 was fourth but just two strokes behind the leader.

"My putting was not good because I am yet to get used to the new putter otherwise all the other aspects of the game were good. I will have to improve and hopefully play better in the remaining rounds," Namakula stated. 

While defending champion Eaton was troubled by the difficult course Magala welcomed the challenge.

"I like playing tough golf courses so this is my kind of thing. People had crammed the layout of that Kampala course and when we come to Entebbe it is a real test. Apart from Nakalembe who is at home we are all struggling. It could even get tougher if it rains. I will do my best in the remaining rounds because I came here to win," Magala stated.

Hawa Wanyeche coming off victory in the Tanzania Open in Arusha two weeks ago was sixth, four strokes behind the leaders while her compatriots Neema Olomi (82) and Sophia Ruffenstein (86) were seventh and eighth respectively.

Rwandan Alphonsine Mukarakatete and Zambian Lonah Mwenda were ninth and 10 respectively.

The main event of the three-day tournament had 35 golfer of handicap 18 and below. The subsidiary category featuring golfers above handicap 18 joins on Friday. The event ends on Saturday.