Nakalembe two strokes ahead at Ladies Golf Open

Entebbe Club's Irene Nakalembe returned an opening round four-over-par 76 to take the lead as the Castle Lite Ladies Open teed-off at Kitante on Thursday.

Playing off handicap 5, Nakalembe who recently finished top of Group A at the JBG Open in Entebbe and also won the Entebbe ladies open earlier this year among other tournaments, notched two birdies en-route to taking a two-stroke lead in the three-day action ending Saturday.

Nakalembe who is eyeing her first ladies open win, is two strokes ahead of defending champion Flavia Namakula, Tanzanian Gymkhana Golf Club's Iddi Madina and Kenya Golf Park's Agnes Nyakio who are tied in second on 78 gross.

Going by the first round scores, the course seems not to be giving in to mediocracy and as scores currently suggest, the top four will fight it out for the championship.

Uganda's Gloria Mbaguta and Eva Magala who are also tied in third place had a torrid time on the course and are already 13 strokes off, just like Harriet Kitaka, Monica Ntege, Katy Kabenge and 2005 winner Esther Okullo, who are tied in fourth, 16 strokes away.

 Regular campaigner Monica Ntege returned 88 gross in the first round.

Fred Wanzala (143 gross) will claim the biggest share of sh15m after winning the professionals category played under the same event. Saidi Mawa and Herman Mutaawe finished second and third respectively.

The tournament is sponsored by Castle Lite, UAP Insurance, Fly Dubai, Access, Cwezi, DStv, Huawei, MTN, Pinnacle Security, HTC Hub, Old Mutual, Kerusi International and UMA.

Round 1 - Top ten

Irene Nakalembe 76

Iddi Madina 78

Flavia Namakula 78

Agnes Nyakio 78

Gloria Mbaguta 85

Eva Magala 85

Harriet Kitaka 88

Esther Okullo 88

Monica Ntege 88

Katy Kabenge 89
 
Professionals

Fred Wanzala 143

Saidi Mawa 144

Herman Mutaawe 145

Phillip Kasozi 146

Denis Anguyo 148

Ronnie Bukenya 148

Happy Robert 150

George Olayo 151

Opio Onito 152

Deo Akope 152

Vincent Byamukama 152