Nakalembe turns invincible in Entebbe

By now, the ladies’ fraternity should have concurred to the fact that it will require something extraordinary to take the Entebbe Ladies Golf Open title away from Irene Nakalembe’s hands.

At the weekend, the handicap four player lifted one of the sport’s most glamorous pieces of silverware for a record seventh straight time after digging deep at the par-71 course in Entebbe.

Nakalembe had won this title each time since 2015 but as the two-day event approached its climax on Saturday, it didn’t appear like she would be anywhere near the podium.

Why? She had carded a Day One sorry round of eight-over 79 and was trailing leader Martha Babirye by seven shots and, for many, the mother of two had been written off.

But Nakalembe fought her toughest championship battle by producing the tournament’s ever best round of three-under 68 on Saturday to reach seventh heaven.

“I loved it,” Nakalembe said after finishing with an aggregate score of 147 gross to beat the field by two shots. For moments, she was speechless. 

“I actually have no words,” she said.

‘Toughest win yet’

Toughest win thus far at the championship? “Yes, I was trailing by seven and won by two, strong comeback,” she replied, moments later, exchanging pleasantries with Babirye during the prize giving ceremony at dusk.

And not that Nakalembe’s familiar foe Babirye had had a terrible round, no. Carding five-over 77 to finish on 149 gross can win a ladies’ tournament on any other day, two-time Uganda Ladies Open winner Babirye can attest to that.

However, Nakalembe’s stellar round was just meticulous. She crossed the back level after birdies on Holes par-5 No.1 and par-5 No.7 cancelling out bogeys on Holes par-4 No.3 and par-3 No.8.

On the front nine, long-hitter continued to attack the long holes and finished with birdies on Holes par-5 No.11, par-3 No.12, par-4 No.13 and par-5 No.15 to mute the bogey on par-4 Hole No.17.

“I said to myself I must give it a chance, indeed I got it all. I obviously thank God, who I kept calling on repetitively,” added Nakalembe.

While she continues to dominate this championship, Nakalembe must exorcise the demons she in her way to the elusive Uganda Ladies Open title.

FINAL LEADERBOARD

1.Irene Nakalembe     UGA 79 68 147

2.Martha Babirye     UGA 72 77 149

3.Evah Magala     UGA 74 76 150

4.Iddy Madina     TAZ 78 73 151

5.Peace Kabasweka     UGA 80 75155

6.Judith Komugisha.    UGA 77 82 159

7.Mercy Nyanchama    KEN 8080160

8.Gloria Mbaguta     UGA 78 83 161

9.Resty Nalutaaya     UGA 78 88166

9.Mackline Nsenga     UGA 84 82166

CAST OF WINNERS

2021 Irene Nakalembe UGA

2020 Irene Nakalembe UGA

2019 Irene Nakalembe UGA

2018 Irene Nakalembe UGA

2017 Irene Nakalembe UGA

2016 Irene Nakalembe UGA

2015 Irene Nakalembe UGA

2014 Monica Ntege         UGA

2013 Iddy Madina         TAZ

2012 Flavia Namukula UGA

2011 Jasper Kamukama UGA