Tanzania’s Angel Eaton is set to return to the Uganda Golf Club on Wednesday, September 2, joining three leading Ugandan female professionals for the tee-off of the Johnnie Walker Uganda Professional Golf Open.
The tournament, which runs until Saturday, September 5, has attracted a strong professional field competing for a Shs 150 million prize kitty.
Eaton, a teaching professional from Tanzania, will be one of four women in the professional field alongside Uganda’s national team coach Flavia Namakula, 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 while still an amateur, and nine years later, she returns as an established professional.
The Ugandan trio will provide a strong home challenge, with Namakula and Nakalembe both former Uganda Ladies Open champions.
Although Magala is yet to win the title, her inclusion adds further depth to a field expected to provide one of the championship’s interesting storylines.
Meanwhile, much of the attention in the men’s field will be on Ronald Rugumayo, who heads into the Open with considerable momentum.
The South Africa-based Ugandan has enjoyed an impressive August on home soil, finishing second in the UGC Ladies Open professional event before winning the recently concluded Watoto Tournament.
His recent form has raised expectations as he turns his attention to the biggest professional title on the Ugandan calendar.
Rugumayo is also chasing a place in Ugandan golf history. Victory would make him the first Ugandan to win the professional Uganda Open since Deo Akope in 2014, ending a long run of foreign dominance in the championship.
His task, however, will be complicated by a sizeable international contingent led by reigning champion Celestin Nsazuwera of Rwanda.
The field also includes 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 among the players to watch over the next four days.
Kenya will bring plenty of regional experience, led by seven-time champion Dismas Indiza, popularly known as ‘Mzee Wakazi’, alongside David Wakhu and others.
Uganda’s challenge will not rest on Rugumayo alone. Home favourite Grace Kasango has enjoyed a series of victories and will be another player to watch.
Experienced professionals including Phillip Kasozi, Rodel Gaita and Abraham Ainamani will also be aiming to keep the title on home soil.
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.
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