Namakula revels in Uganda Ladies Golf Open Victory

Overall Winner: Flavia Namakula (217 Gross)

After clinching the 61^st Uganda Ladies’ Golf Open at the Par 72 Uganda Golf Course on Saturday, top lady golfer, Flavia Namakula looks to joining the paid ranks of the game.

“I thank God for my victory. It was a sweet win coming off the sweat of hard work and adequate preparations. I am now planning to join the professional ranks” Namakula, a Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Corporal said after putting the final ball at the 18^th hole.

After master minding a comfortable lead after 2 days, the single handicapped Namakula came into the final thick of action with an 8 strokes’ lead off the closest pal – Angel Eaton, from Tanzania.

Defending Champion, Angel Eaton struggled in the rough towards the 18th pin.

The gallery was keenly following every shot from each of the 4 golfers in the pressure group that also had two Tanzanian aces, Angel Eaton and Iddi Madina and Zimbabwe’s Loice Chingono.

By the close of business of the final 18 holes, Namakula was aloft on 217 total gross (over 54 holes) with Eaton tallying 229 while Iddi Madina returned the third best gross score of 233.

Partly attributed to eminent the boiling up intense pressure, the UPDF corporal, who had an 8 strokes’ lead coming into the final day posted a dismissal final day compared to the rest of the days.

With double boggies on holes 5 and 17, Namakula returned 74 gross, ironically extending her lead by 4 to finish 12 strokes ahead of last year’s eventual winner, Angel Eaton.

Last year’s winner Angel Eaton, finished second with country mate, Tanzania’s Iddi Madina coming third.

Namakula hailed the Uganda Ladies’ Golf Union upon organizing the event with special praise to the tournament sponsors and the participating players who included Kenyans, Burundian, Tanzanians Zimbabwe’s Loice Chingono.

Other Winners:

Gloria Mbaguta won the nett category with 266 nett. For scoring 80 gross on the opening day, Zimbabwe lady golfer, Loice Chingono took the first 18 with Monica Ntege and Jenina Nasimolo taking the second and third 18 gongs respectively.

Jovia Otim won the best gross category after returning 197 gross before UGU president, Esther Okullo took the senior’s category with 157 nett score.

Jei Wei (146 nett) won the bronze category.

Top Five

Winner: Flavia Namakula (217)

1st Runner up: Angel Eaton (229)

2nd Runner up: Iddi Madina  (233)

3rd Runner up: Irene Nakalembe (243)

4th Runner up: Eva Magala (246)