Eaton steals show at Uganda Ladies Open

Newly crowned Uganda Ladies Open champion Tanzanian Angel Eaton in action during a past tournament. PHOTO | FILE

What you need to know:

  • Everything that gifted golfer touched turned into gold as she led from the start to the end to post 235 strokes in the 54-hole tournament and beat Uganda’s Irene Nakalembe by two shots.

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s Angel Eaton lived up to her reputation as one of the best female golfers in Africa over the weekend as she emerged the over winner of this year’s Uganda ladies Open in Kampala.

Everything that gifted golfer touched turned into gold as she led from the start to the end to post 235 strokes in the 54-hole tournament and beat Uganda’s Irene Nakalembe by two shots.

“I am so happy to win. I was okay until the final round, but I was under a lot of pressure today. My compatriot Madina Iddi and Uganda’s Irene Nakalembe were hot on my heels,” Eaton said.

The battle for the title at the three-day championship was between Tanzanian and Ugandan golfers when the three-day tournament came to a climax on Saturday at the Uganda Golf Club course.

Ahead of the final round, Eaton, who led day one by a stroke, was joint top with Madina on 157 gross each after two rounds.

Despite putting up a poor show on day-two, Eaton, the two-time Uganda Open champion, found herself on top as the rest of the field, and her rivals in the group also had a bad outing on the day.

After snatching the title, Eaton expressed profound thanks to the TPDF Lugalo Club management for backing her success in Kampala.

The army club sponsored almost all Tanzanian players who competed in the Uganda Ladies Open, this year.

Nakalembe, one of the pre-championship favourites, finished runner up after grossing 237 strokes, just one stroke ahead of Tanzania’s Madina Iddi, who grossed 238 strokes.

Madina, one of only two golfers from Arusha Gymkhana Club at the tournament, said she was satisfied with her performance and promised to clinch the trophy next year.

Kenyan Agnes Nyakio was fourth overall after grossing 239, defeating Uganda’s Meron Kyomugisha, who penned 242 strokes by three shots.

Ugandan Namanda Joelia was decorated named the event’s net winner after returning 212 score.

Tanzania fielded a 15-member team in this year’s event, the 75th edition of the annual tournament that officially teed off from September 7 and ended on September 9 at the Uganda Golf Club.

Other Tanzanian players at the championship were Ayne Magombe, Hawa Wanyenche, Sarah Denis, Sophia Mathias, Tanya William, Mwanaidi Ally, Chiku Elias, Rehema Athumani, Habiba Juma, Habiba Sanze, Madina Iddi, Neema Olomi and Lina Francis.