Tanzania’s Angel Eaton is set to make a return to the Uganda Golf Club tomorrow- Wednesday, September 2, joining three leading Ugandan female professionals, for the tee off of the Johnnie Walker Uganda Professional Golf Open.
The tournament, running up to Saturday, September 5, has attracted a strong professional field, that will be competing for a Shs 150m professional prize kitty.
Eaton, a teaching professional from Tanzania, will be among four women in the professional field, alongside Uganda’s Flavia Namakula- the national team coach, Irene Nakalembe and Evah Magala.
Her return to Kitante carries a touch of nostalgia. Eaton won the Uganda Ladies Open at the same course in 2017, when she was still an amateur, and nine years later, returns as an established professional.
The Ugandan trio will provide a strong home challenge. Namakula and Nakalembe are both former Uganda Ladies Open champions.
While Magala is yet to claim that particular title, her inclusion adds further depth to a group expected to provide one of the interesting storylines of the championship.
Meanwhile, on the men’s field, much of the attention will be on Ronald Rugumayo, who comes into the Open with considerable momentum.
The South Africa-based Ugandan has enjoyed an impressive August on home soil, after coming second in the UGC Ladies Open professional event, and winning the recently concluded Watoto tournament.
That recent form has raised expectations as he now turns his attention to the biggest professional title on the Ugandan calendar.
He is also chasing a place in Ugandan golf history. A victory would make him the first Ugandan to win the professional Uganda Open since Deo Akope in 2014, ending a run in which foreign players have dominated the championship.
Rugumayo’s task, however, will be complicated by a sizeable international contingent that includes reigning champion Rwanda’s Celestin Nsazuwera, as well as a strong group of Sunshine Development Tour professionals, notably Nigeria’s Sunday Olapade, Godwin Okoko, Tajudeen Ajayi and Solomon Ideria.
Former champions- Zambia’s Greg Snow and Zimbabwe’s Visitor Mapwanya, are also players to watch these next four days.
Kenya is also bringing a wealth of regional experience, led by seven-time champion ‘Mzee Wakazi’ Dismas Indiza, David Wakhu, among others.
Uganda’s challenge will not rest on Rugumayo alone, homeboy Grace Kasango has enjoyed a series of victories, and he’s a player to watch. Experienced professionals including Phillip Kasozi, Rodel Gaita and Abraham Ainamani, will also be looking to keep the title at home.
This year’s Johnnie Walker Uganda Golf Open is supported by ABSA, MTN MOMO, Aquafina, Pepsi, Case Clinic, Medisell, Rose Foam, Pearl Marina, and NBS Sport.
Four lady golfers add fresh dimension as the Johnnie Walker Uganda Professionals Open Tess off this Wednesday
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