Event: UGC Ladies Open Golf Tournament
Dates: 17th to 20th August 2022
Venue: Uganda Golf Club
Deo Akope shot 4 under par 68 in the opening round of the professionals event of the 2022 Uganda Golf Club (UGC) Ladies Open Golf Tournament that teed off on Wednesday at the club’s par-72 course in Kitante, Kampala.
Akope, a former captain of the local PGA is atop a field of 46 players that includes two lady professionals and six amateurs ahead of the Thursday final round.
However, Akope’s lead is very slim as the duo of Grace Kasango and national team amateur star Tom Jingo are just a shot behind him after they returned 3 under par 69 in the opening round.
Ronald Rugumayo who won the previous edition is tied for fourth with Vincent Byamukama off 2 under par 70.
Philip Kasozi is sixth with 1 under par 71 whilst Saidi Mawa and Becca Mwanja are tied for seventh off level par 72.
Flavia Namakula is tied for 30th with two others off 5 over par 77 whilst her fellow female professional Irene Nakalembe had a tough start shooting 9 over par 81 tying for 43rd with two others.
Professionals are competing for UGX10M which will be split according to performance.
Meanwhile, the tournament was officially launched on Wednesday morning at UGC and it received a UGX60M sponsorship boost from National Medical Stores (NMS).
During the press conference, UGC Lady Captain Grace Kabonero thanked the event main sponsor National Medical Stores as well as the other sponsors like Tusker Malt Lager, Pepsi, NCBA Bank, CASE Clinic and Uganda Airlines for sponsoring and elevating golf during this year’s Ladies’ Open and thereby promoting a healthy lifestyle.
There are several prizes to be won, and the categories are as follows: – Silver category, Bronze category, Subsidiary Ladies, Subsidiary Men, Senior winner (Ladies and Men), Side Bets and first day bets. Over 200 players are expected to grace the tournament.
The dates 17th to 18th are for the pros, then 18th to 20th are for the Silver category. Bronze category is 19th and 20th. On 20th (Saturday) all will play including the subsidiaries and later that evening an awards ceremony will be held during the 19th hole experience.
UGC Ladies Golf Open previous (2021) winners.
Overall winner: Martha Babirye – 231 (beat Peace Kabasweka in a sudden death playoff)
Professional winner: Ronald Rugumayo – 141 (Gross)
Seniors (Women): Edrae Kagombe – 267 (Gross)
Seniors (Men) – Katarikawe – 69 (Nett)
Juniors Winner: Ivan Nalima – 71 (Gross).
