Ladies in last practice round at UGC today
Magala is confident of a good showing at the Uganda Open starting tomorrow. PHOTO BY EDDIE CHICCO
KAMPALA- Although the 44 local ladies that will take part in the 62nd Tusker Malt Ladies Open have been chipping in some extra hours both on the Uganda Golf Club (UGC) range and par-72 Kitante course, they have one last round to have a feel of the Kitante turf together with the seven foreigners in today’s official practice round and tee-off.
Due to the current dry season, the course has been playing fast with many golfers stating that the greens are not only inconsistent but also in undesirable shape.
With the Ugandan ladies having turned up in droves for the Toyota Lone Ranger Open and JCB Captains Bell tournaments last weekend, they will use this round to try out to polish their shots from trouble positions like sand bunkers, rough and water hazards.
“What can I say,” said Eva Magala, who is chasing her maiden Open title after many years of playing second fiddle.
“Personally, I am ready to play and shine. My game has generally been good. I played well two weeks ago at the Zambia Open and I want to continue doing well,” added Magala, a national team star.
Her fellow national team players; Irene Nakalembe, three-time Uganda Open winner Flavia Namakula, Petra Nalwoga, Harriet Kitaka, Gloria Mbaguta and youngster Meron Kyomugisha’s current form on the national circuit, will make them believe they are title contenders.
Three Kenyans; Watua Mululu, Sammy Nakanjako and Loyce Shingona, jetted in on Tuesday evening and had a feel of the greens yesterday as they look to avoid playing a blind course.
Four Zambians: Zambia’s Tina Nawa, Moono Mwila, Julie Sakala, and Lorna Mwenda alongside Zimbabwean Loice Chingono were expected to check into town last night ahead of today’s official practice round.
The UGC captain, Henry Rugamba, has also made a plea to the members to stay away from the course during the five-in-one Open.
“We begin three weeks of playing golf and playing hosts to over 500 golfers and may be 1,000 guests. Without a doubt, it will be a challenge but it is one we are ready for and we relish,” Ruganda said in a statement to UGC members.
“We hand over the club and course to the organisers. I appreciate this will cause some inconvenience and I apologise,” he added.
