Eyes on TZ’s Eaton as Uganda Open tees off

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s highly-rated female golfer Angel Eaton will be the major attraction when the 2018 Uganda Ladies Open tees off today in Kampala.

Top lady golfers from around the African continent were at Entebbe Golf Club course yesterday for official practice ahead of the much anticipated tournament.

They now have a clear picture of what waits on the course in the three-round, 54-hole championship.

Eaton is among five local golfers who are in Kampala for the tournament, which has been organised by Uganda Ladies Golf Union (ULGU).

Also on the list are Hawa Wanyeche, Lina Francis, Vicky Elias and Ayne Magombe.

The golfers flew into the Ugandan capital of Kamapala on Tuesday, brimming with confidence and eager to steal show at the tournament.

“We have had lengthy training over the past few weeks and stakes are high that we can leave our mark in the tournament,” Eaton told The Citizen by phone from Kampala yesterday.

“Personally, I’m looking forward to retaining the title, but Wanyeche is also in top shape, so I promise Tanzanians to expect a lot from us,” she added.

Wanyenche had similar views, adding: “The Entebbe course will be tough because of the ongoing rains, but the good thing is that its greens are holding very well.”

“I am not worried of anyone. I can’t rate myself now, but what I can say is I’m ready to play my normal game.”

Before leaving for Uganda, Eaton has had been hitting the gym four times a week on top of her routine rounds on the range at Lugalo and the course.

Leading Uganda’s charge is Irene Nakalembe, who finished as runner up to Eaton last year, though the later had by yesterday not registered for the three-day tournament.

Eva Magala, Martha Babirye, Peace Kabasweka, Evelyn Asiimwe and Resty Nalutaaya, who are fresh from representing Uganda in the Ghana Ladies Open, where they had a descent outing, are the other contestants in the main event of the handicaps 18 and below.

The event has attracted entries from as far as India in Bhaskar Shebani as well as Ethiopia’s Nigussie Selam Hassen and Kenya’s Nzioka Mwongeli.

Last year, Eaton put up a spirited fight to win her third Uganda Ladies Golf Open at the Kitante Golf Course. She returned a score of 235 gross (76, 81, 78) to win it.