Uganda trail Tanzania by nine shots on Day 1

KAMPALA. Hosts Uganda pressed the wrong codes as Tanzania opened their quest for an unprecedented third title with a nine-shot lead on Day One of the fifth East & Central All Africa Challenge Golf Trophy (ECAACT) in Entebbe yesterday.
Clad in blue tops and skirts in African print, Tanzania made their intentions known after scoring an unmatched aggregate score of 235 gross at the par-71 course.
The perfect start was initiated by Iddi Madina who carded a round of five-over 76 to also lead the 11-man individuals’ leaderboard.
After five straight pars, the 2013 Entebbe Ladies Open champion Madina had bogeys on Holes No.5, No.6, No.8 and No.9.
After the half-way break, Madina carded a birdie on the short par-3 Hole No.10 but she was disturbed again with a double-bogey on the 18th green.
Regardless, President John Magufuli’s team is in the driving seat. “We expected to start well,” Tanzania’s captain Hawa Wanyeche told Daily Monitor. She carded 79 and is in third place.
“The Uganda ladies told us they are going to beat us but we were just unlucky at the Ladies Open here and back home. When we all come together, they can’t handle us,” Wanyeche stated.
“Personally, everything is okay except the greens,” she said as she headed back to the course after lunch yesterday.
Hosts’ best player was reigning Uganda Ladies Open winner Martha Babirye tied in fourth place with Tanzania Angel Eaton on nine-over 80.
Uganda is second with an aggregate score of 244 gross from the best three players.
“There was a bit of pressure but that’s Day One. 80 is scored by human beings and we will do better tomorrow (today),” Babirye reacted.
Upon realizing the false start, Uganda captain Irene Nakalembe quickly gathered her unit for a meeting yesterday to plan for today’s round.
Kenya’s captain Agnes Nyakio is second on the individuals’ leaderboard on 78 but her counterparts Mercy Nyachama and Margaret Njoki cover the bottom end, leaving them on 253 gross.
“I am happy with my first round but as a team, we are not under pressure,” said Nyakio.

DAY 1 - TEAM STANDINGS
Tanzania 235
Uganda 244
Kenya 253
INDIVIDUAL LEADERBOARD
1 Iddi Madina (TAZ) 76
2 Agnes Nyakio (KEN) 78
3 Hawa Wanyeche (TAZ) 79
T4 Martha Babirye (UGA) 80
T4 Angel Eaton (TAZ) 80
6 Irene Nakalembe (UGA) 81
7 Neema Olomi (TAZ) 82
8 Peace Kabasweka (UGA) 83
9 Gloria Mbaguta (UGA) 85
10 Mercy Nyachama (KEN) 87
11 Margaret Njoki (KEN) 88