Namakula forced to retire at Omega event

The Ugandan soldier endured a torrid debut at the European Ladies Challenge Tour event.

Flavia Namakula will have to wait until next year to make her mark on the European Ladies Tour.

The two-time winner of the prestigious Uganda Ladies Amateur Open was stopped from playing her second round at the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters at the Emirates Golf Club yesterday after officials told her she is ineligible.

“I was told that the rules indicate that anyone who shoots more than 14-over-par in the first round cannot play in the second,” Namakula, in a dejected low tone, told the Daily Monitor yesterday.

“Of course I am disappointed that I didn’t get my act together yesterday (Tuesday). Things like that happen in life but I will leave this place richer in knowledge and exposure. Good thing is that the CEO of Golf in Dubai, Mohamed Juma Buamaim, has promised to invite me again next year.”

Namakula disclosed that she scored 15-over-par 87 after allegedly being treated unfairly by a tournament marshal. Official scores on the www.dubailadiesmasters.com website, however, indicated that she returned 94.

indawula@ug.nationmedia.com