Namakula’s Open to lose

Although she is not in sparkling form, Flavia Namakula will be favourite to lift the Uganda Ladies Open crown. PHOTO BY EDDIE CHICCO

What you need to know:

Golf. In the absence of Angel Eaton from Tanzania, Flavia Namakula is the overwhelming favourite to win the Uganda Open (ladies category), which tees off today.

The wait is over. The precision, consistency and endurance battle starts with the women when they tee off in the 62nd Tusker Malt Uganda Ladies Open at the par-72 Uganda Golf Club (UGC) Kitante course this morning.
What is undeniable is the fact that defending champion, Flavia Namakula, is the overwhelming favourite in the absence of Tanzanian Angel Eaton – a two-time winner (2012 and 2013).
Despite being every pundit’s favourite, the handicap one golfer is not coming off her best form. She played second fiddle to Irene Nakalembe at the Entebbe Ladies Open (March 7) and South Africa Amateur Open Ladies Championship in Glendower (April 19).
She also finished a distant fourth at the Zambia Ladies Open in Lusaka three weeks ago.
And considering the fact that she will be the first on tee (9.30am), in a foursome including Zimbabwean Loice Chingona and Ugandans Melon Kyomugisha and Nakalembe, all eyes will be on what is coincidentally the day’s unofficial ‘pressure group’.
But Namakula is unfazed by her tee-off time and playing partners.
“This is a very good draw,” said the 29-year-old. “When you play with good players, it comes with some pressure and challenge which in turn help me to play well as an individual. The tee off time is good, I am already pumped up and my energy levels are high.” What worries the three-time winner is, however, the course condition and current state of the greens. “The course is tight because it is very dry and greens are very hard. Anticipating how much the ball will roll is hard. My advice to all golfers is to be smart,” said Namakula after her official practice round yesterday.

Namakula only played nine holes: No.1, 2, 3, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17 and 18 in her practice round and when asked why she answered; “I always find myself playing them badly in the big tournaments. It was just another chance to have a look at them.”

Put on the spot to name her direct challengers for the title in the absence of Eaton, the UPDF Sergeant shot back. “The fight for the Open has not always been between me and Angel. Last year, she was here and I won. And people might be saying that it is going to be a walk in the park for me but I don’t think so. Anything is possible. There are several major threats in Zambian teenager Tina Nawa, Eva Magala and Nakalembe. People should notice that they’re in the draw and respect them,” added the reigning Uspa Female Golfer of the Year.

Earlier yesterday, the managing director of Uganda Breweries Limited Nyimpini Mabunda officially teed off this year’s five-in-one Tusker Malt Uganda Open Golf Championship. He was flanked by Uganda Golf Union (UGU) president Kiryowa Kiwanuka, other co-sponsors and golf officials.

PREVIOUS UGANDA OPEN WINNERS

2006: Mary Karano (Kenya)
2007: Mary Karano (Kenya)
2008: Melissa Nawa (Zambia)
2009: Jasper Kamukama (Uganda)
2010: Flavia Namakula (Uganda)
2011: Flavia Namakula (Uganda)
2012: Angel Eaton (Tanzania)
2013: Angel Eaton (Tanzania)
2014: Flavia Namakula (Uganda).