Tanzanian lady golfers have been a dominant force on the fairways of the Johnnie Walker Uganda Ladies Open for the last 13 years.
Tanzania has registered 5 wins in the last 13 years, with Tanzania Defence Forces Golf Club member Hawa Wanyeche claiming the 75th edition on Saturday in dramatic fashion at the 18th green at the famous Uganda Golf Club.
Wanyeche dramatically won the Open with her trailing by 1 stroke, but snatching victory from Peace Kabasweka and teenage sensation Keisha Kagoro at the death on the 18th hole, with Kabasweka and Kagoro six-putting on the par-4 hole to surrender the crown to her with a simple winning putt.
The legendary lady golfer Alice Kego, from Uganda, has won a record 12 Uganda Ladies Open Golf titles, and Flavia Namakula, who is now a teaching Pro and national team coach, did a hat-trick from 2013, 2014 and 2016. Martha Babirye has also done a treble at the Open with wins in 2019, 2020 and 2022.
Tanzania’s past and present winners at the Open include the Senior lady Golfer Sophie Viggo, who was a force to reckon in the early 2000s winning the Open in 2005 and 2006 set up the stage for her compatriots Angel Eaton (2013 and 2017) who, currently is a teaching Pro in Dar es Salaam, Neema Olomi (2018), Madina Hussein (2024) and Hawa Wanyeche.
The future of Ladies Golf in the country looks bright with junior golfers like Keisha Kagoro, who withstood the pressure of playing in her first Uganda Ladies Open and under pressure, maintained her momentum even in tight spots and situations on the fairways of the course. The others are Winnie Musuya, Danielle Kawalya and Frista Kawalya.
Role of Honour | Last 13 Years
2013: Angel Eaton
2014: Flavia Namakula
2015: Flavia Namakula
2016: Flavia Namakula
2017: Angel Eaton
2018: Neema Olomi
2019: Martha Babirye
2020: Martha Babirye
2021: Irene Nakalembe
2022: Martha Babirye
2023: Peace Kabasweka
2024: Madina Hussein
2025:Mercy Nyanchama
2026: Hawa Wanyeche