In the final round of the ladies event of the 2023 Johnnie Walker Uganda Open Golf Championship (Uganda Ladies Open) played on Saturday at Uganda Golf Club, Peace Kabasweka and Iddy Hussein Madina were level heading into the par 4 hole 18 (final hole), making the gallery anxious about the final outcome in the pressure group.
However, it was Kabasweka, handicap 0 who came atop after returning a par while Madina had a bogey after she struggled to get off the bunker in her first attempt as her rival who landed onto the putting green from the fairway managed a par, an outcome that made a section of local fans go wild after victory was secured.
At the end of it all, Kabasweka who is the Toro Club Lady Captain managed 5 over par 221 after three rounds of action, just a stroke better than Madina (handicap 1.5 Arusha Gymkhana Club member) who ensured that the former was under pressure for the most part of the final round.
It is the first time for Kabasweka to win the ladies event of the Uganda Open and victory at Uganda Golf Club’s par 72 course in Kitante means that she has now won every major competition in the local golf scene.
“This is a long awaited trophy for me, I thank God for this…I am so excited! This means a lot for me,” an excited Kabasweka told media moments after the event adding that; “I thank everyone for the support and love, they gave me confidence.”
Kabasweka will have to attribute the win to her strong start to the tournament as she subjected Madina to second position throughout the tournament. On day one, she posted a tournament record score of 4 under par 68, five shots ahead of the former. On day two, she had an overall under par 143, four strokes ahead of Madina.
In the final round, rather than falter under the intense scrutiny of the crowds and the media, Kabasweka who sometimes at some point seemed to have squandered her lead, thrived at last, sinking the final putt with unerring accuracy.
“The pressure was too much, I almost died on the course,” Kabasweka joked adding that; “at some point in the back nine, my driver went off so I was gambling but I gained strength at number 16 and since then I was good.”
Kabasweka dedicated her victory to her six-month old son, Ethan.
For Kabasweka, this victory represents the culmination of years of hard work and dedication, and it cements her status as one of the best lady golfers of her generation.
Meanwhile, Uganda Golf Club Ladies Open title holder Evah Magala capped the podium with a gross score of 228. Last year’s winner Martha Babirye tied for sixth with Meron Kyomugisha off a gross score of 230.
In the Seniors Open played on Friday and Saturday, Steven Katwiremu emerged men’s champion after winning in the playoffs. He had shot a gross score of 162 just like Godfrey Onyango Matata and Joseph Bagabo. The senior ladies winner was Roza Mbilizi with a gross score of 173.
The winners were honoured with well-deserved trophies and Johnnie Walker Green and Black Label Bottles that were handed over by Uganda Breweries Ltd Managing Director Andrew Kilonzo, and the Guest of Honour, Security Minister, Gen. Jim Muhwezi.
Johnnie Walker, the tournament’s title sponsor set-up a Hospitality Village, that was an elevation from the traditional 19th Hole experience.
“As a premium Scotch whisky brand, our focus is to bring golfers an experience that will leave lasting impressions. We are introducing golfers into the amazing world of Big Flavour and the crowd here has given us such a warm and befitting welcome. We are definitely looking forward to more action on and off the greens,” said Robert Nsibirwa, Marketing Manager, UBL.
Up next in the 2023 Johnnie Walker Uganda Open Golf Championship is the Amateur Open scheduled for 18th to 21st October, Pro-Am scheduled for 24th October and finally the Professional Open slated for 25th to 28th October.
Johnnie Walker Uganda Open (Ladies) Final Leaderboard
- Peace Kabasweka (UG) – 221
- Madina Iddy Hussein (TZ) – 222
- Evah Magala (UG) – 228
T4. Mercy Nyanchama (KE) – 229
T4. Ashley Awuor (KE) – 229
T6. Martha Babirye (UG) – 230
T6. Meron Kyomugisha (UG) – 230 - Judith Komugisha (UG) – 235
- Harriet Kitaka (UG) – 239
- Margaret Njoki (KE) – 241
Johnnie Walker Uganda Open (Seniors Men) Final Leaderboard
- Katwiremu Steven -162
T2. Onyango Matata Godfrey – 162
T2. Bagabo Joseph – 162 - Plenderleith David – 165
- Musiimenta Julius – 166
- Muchiri John – 167
Johnnie Walker Uganda Open (Seniors Women) Final Leaderboard
- Mbilizi Madaro Roza – 173
- Kabonero Grace – 176
- Kabenge Katy – 178
- Kagombe N Edrae – 182
- Nasimolo Jenina – 185
- Acato Gertrude – 188
Below are more pictures from the Saturday event:
