Martha Babirye wins 2020 Uganda Ladies Golf Open

2020 Uganda Ladies  Golf Open:

• Champion: Martha Babirye – 81, 77,78 – 236
• Runners up: Peace Kabasweke – 79, 77, 82 – 238
• 1^st Runners up: Irene Nakalembe – 81, 78, 85 – 244

Martha Babirye successfully defended her crown when she clawed back aggressively to win the 2020 Uganda Ladies Golf Open at the par 72 Uganda Golf Club, Kitante in Kampala.

The reigning Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) female golfer of the year exhibited the prowess of a typical champion with a combined score of 236 strokes in 54 holes played over 3 rounds.

Babirye who holds duo membership at Uganda Golf Club and Lake Victoria Serena Golf and Spa club, Kigo posted 81, 77 and 78 on the respective rounds to retain her crown.

“I had the belief and worked hard as well” Babirye disclosed at the 18^th green moments after the final putting.

“I thank my playing mates. They were a great and competitive lot. After day one, I kept improving and the turning point was on day two when I managed to reduce the deficit by almost 4 strokes. When we teed off for day 3, I was down by 2 strokes but in golf, I knew anything can happen anytime, I kept the hope and played well” she disclosed.

Day one and two leader Peace Kabasweke tallied 238 strokes in total, 2 behind the champion.

Kabasweke led the opening round with 6-over par 78 to carry a two strokes lead over Babirye who returned 7-over 81, the same score as Irene Nakalembe.

Although Kabasweke maintained the 2 strokes lead by the end of day 2, it was Babirye who had improved drastically.

Both Babirye and Kabasweke posted 5-over par 77 as Nakalembe’s score card read 10-over par 82.

Action switches to the Uganda Amateurs Men Golf Championship on the same course, teeing off by Wednesday, 2^nd December 2020.

A big field of Ugandans from the different clubs across the country has registered to take  part including the pre-tournament favourite Joseph Cwinyaai.

Others are the towering Jinja based scratch golfer Grace Kasango, Daniel Baguma (Handicap 1), Rogers Eyoyo (Handicap 1), Walter Debbo (Handicap 5), Emmanuel Smith Moko (handicap 2), Ronald Blink Otim (handicap 4), Andrew Mugume (handicap 3), Habib Kissande (Handicap 1), Tadeo Rodell Gaita (0),  and Bulhan Matovu, Adam Mahmood, Uganda Golf Union President Moses Matsiko Baryamujura (handicap 5), former Uganda Open champion Rogers Byaruhanga (handicap 5) among others.

A couple of Kenyans have also registered like Simon Njogu, Benson Ndungu, Peter Rimuli Mwangi, Jackson Mwangi Mureithi, Ebili Omollo Otieno, George Mburu, Isaac Makokoha Ogola, Carl Wambasi Makokoha, John Lejirma, Aaron Kitur, Kibugu Mutahi, Kibugu Njoroge, Adel Balala, John Mburu Kamau and others.

One Tanzanian, Joseph Victor, a handicap 2 golfer from Dar-es-salaam Gymkhana Golf Club also registered.

Final Leaderboard (Top 15):

1. Martha Babirye (Handicap 4): 81, 77, 78 – 236
2. Peace Kabasweka (Handicap 5): 79, 77, 82 – 238
3. Irene Nakalembe (Handicap 3): 81, 78, 85 – 244
4. Evah Magala (Handicap 5): 83, 79, 86 – 248
5. Judith Komugisha (Handicap 10): 82, 85, 84 – 251
6. Harriet Kitaka (Handicap 9): 84, 91, 78 – 253
7. Mackline Nsenga (Handicap 13): 87, 86, 84 – 257
8. Resty Nalutaaya (Handicap 12): 87,86, 94 – 257
9. Julia Nampewo (Handicap 9): 91, 92, 85 – 268
10. Diana Nambalirwa (Handicap 17): 91, 84, 96 – 271
11. Jenina Nasimolo (Handicap 11): 92, 91, 89 – 272
12.  Katy Kabenge (Handicap 11): 91, 90, 93 – 274
13. Gloria Mbaguta (Handicap 7): 94, 95, 86 – 275
14. Caroline Namutebi (Handicap 16): 91, 93, 92 – 276
15. Gertrude Acato (Handicap 16): 97, 90, 91 – 278