Magala caps fine year with Nigeria Open win

Kampala. As the sun set on September 15, Eva Magala appeared mentally unsettled but nonetheless did the honours as Uganda Ladies Golf Union president.
She handed the title to Tanzanian Neema Olomi after winning the 68th Uganda Ladies Open showpiece at Entebbe Golf Club.
Later that day, Magala spoke, but, less. “I couldn’t compete favourably while also organising the Open as well,” she said having finished ninth overall.
Whereas the perennial Open failure haunted her, Magala could have found a ‘payback’ or ‘reward’ far away in West Africa. She was crowned as champion at the Nigeria Ladies Golf Open at the Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort in Uyo on Sunday.
“I don’t know what to tell but this was so exciting on the most difficult course I have countered,” Magala told Daily Monitor.
Normally, Ugandan ladies are participants in tournaments across the continent but Magala has taken it a notch higher this year.
Back in September, she was Uganda’s best and seventh in individual standings at the coveted All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) tournament at the Achimota Golf Club in Ghana.
Earlier, she won the Eldoret Ladies Open in Kenya, took the lone ticket for ladies to represent at the Windhoek Lager Championship and with counterpart Irene Nakalembe, they reached the semifinals of the Entebbe Singleton Challenge.
In Uyo, she needed to outmuscle Nigeria’s stars Rachael Danjuma and Wilfred Amina over three rounds at the par-72 course to bring glory home.

FINAL LEADERBOARD
1. Eva Magala (UGA) 85 85 81 251
2. Rachael Danjuma (NIG) 81 90 81 252
3. Wilfred Amina (NIG) 81 84 87 252
4. Irene Nakalembe (UGA) 85 90 80 255
5. Gloria Mbaguta (UGA) 91 94 86 271
6. Blessing Obaje (NIG) 93 89 90 272
7. Helen Adebayo (NIG) 90 90 92 272
8. Rita Izojie (NIG) 90 98 85 273
9. Solomon Joy (NIG) 95 92 91 278
10. Laura Arin (NIG) 92 100 95 287