Previous winners
2003: E.Okullo (Uganda)
2004: R.Naliaka (Kenya)
2005: S.Viggo (Tanzania)
2006: M.Karano (Kenya)
2007: M.Karano (Kenya)
2008: M.Nawa (Zambia)
2009: J.Kamukama (Ug’da)
2010: F.Namakula (Uganda)
2011: F.Namakula (Uganda)
2012: A.Eaton (Tanzania)
2013: A.Eaton (Tanzania)
2014: F.Namakula (Uganda)
Defending champion Flavia Namakula will start as hot favourite as the
75th Tusker Malt Uganda Open tees off at the par-72 Uganda Golf Club,
Kitante course on Thursday.
Namakula, a three-time champion will be hoping her explosive finish in
the JCB Captain’s Bell Golf tournament on Saturday (on the same
course) would spill into the Open and with major absentees from last
year’s Ladies Open.
The UPDF Corporal has over 51 female golfers to contend with; Uganda
fielding 43, Zambia (4) while Kenya (3) and Zimbabwe (1) as the 62nd
Ladies Open, Stroke Play 54-hole tournament swings into action.
“I don’t look at the field (players), its important as a golfer you
play the course, because it’s the course that gives you the result,”
Namakula said.
Namakula dethroned Tanzania’s Angel Eaton last year to win her third
title and odds are on her winning a fourth on her home course.
Ahead of the three-day championship, Namakula has been hitting the gym
four times a week on top of her routine rounds on the range and the
course.
With former champion Eaton not available for this year’s edition the
onus is now on other Ugandan ladies that include 2003 champion Esther
Okullo, Monica Ntege, Katy Kabenge, Harriet Kitaka, Eva Magala, Irene
Nakalembe, Rose Azuba among others to challenge for the title.
But there is Zambian and Kenyan opposition to deal with as they all
seek to win it for the first time.
The Zambians fresh from winning the East and Central Africa Regional
Challenge Trophy in Malawi have entered Lornah Mwenda, Moono Mwila,
Julie Sakala and Tina Nawa.
Kenyan ladies Sammy Nakanjako Watua Mululu, and Loyce Shingona and are
also in to vie for the title.
