I was chasing six strokes, I was somehow confident. I just told myself to play against the course which ended up giving me a better score.

Toro Golf Club’s handicap two  golfer won the overall trophy at the 2022 edition of Uganda Golf Club Ladies Open after she shot an aggregate score of eleven-over-par-227 to overcome 26 other top ladies after 54 holes played over 3 days at the par-72 Kitante course in Kampala city.

The highlight of her victory was that Kabasweka came from six strokes behind on the final day to beat Day Two leader Gloria Mbaguta by a stroke on the final par-4 Hole No.18 in front of a sizable gallery as the sun had begun to find its way home.

On the final round, Kabasweka matched Mbaguta toe-to-toe on either end of Acacia Avenue. Mbaguta’s lead dropped to five strokes when she carded a bogey on par-5 Hole No.1 while Kabasweka had a par.

After identical bogeys on holes par-5 No.3, par-3 No.6 and par-4 No.7, Mbaguta got another bogey on the sloppy par-5 Hole No.8 but Kabasweka trimmed her deficit to four shots with par.

Mbaguta then was on the par-3 Hole No.9 green for one but triple-putted for bogey while Kabasweka got a par, leading down to three shots. The same happened with Mbaguta’s bogey on par-4 No.12 and on the tricky par-4 No.15, her par was still bettered by Kabasweka’s birdie.

Chasing a stroke with three holes to go, Kabasweka played pars all through while Mbaguta fumbled with short putts on the par-3 No.17 and the 18th too.

“My driver went off but I just trusted my swing. I was swinging well on the other clubs and it gave me confidence to carry and I ended up winning,” said Kabasweka.

Mbaguta came too close but yet still too far. Her bad play on the final day cost her dearly. She has to wait for another year for a chance to make good.

Defending champion Martha Babirye settled for third place with 231 strokes while Eva Magala came fourth on with 238 strokes.

“My driver went off but I just trusted my swing. I was swinging well on the other clubs and it gave me confidence to carry and I ended up winning,” said Kabasweka.

The past winners of Uganda Golf Club (UGC) Ladies Open are Irene Nakalembe – 2018 (now professional), Martha Babirye – 2019 and 2021. It should be noted that the tournament was not held in 2020 due to Covi-19 Pandemic.

Other winners were Regina Namatagarnered the overall net prize after she returned 208 net. MeronKyomugisha was the first 18 winner with 78 gross.Evelyn Atukunda shot 121 nett to take home the outstanding silver prize while  SilviaBiderireturned 60 net to top the subsidiary category.

Jennifer Opio won the seniors docket with 67 net while Victoria McKenzie was the outstanding female junior after she shot 66 net.The longest drive gong went to Diana Nambalirwa while Margaret Noki took the Nearest to the Pin prize.

Uganda Golf Club Ladies Open was sponsored by National Medical Stores (NMS) in partnership with Tusker Malt Lager, Pepsi, NCBA Bank, CASE Clinic and Uganda Airlines.

Now, Kabasweka, Mbaguta, Babirye, Magala and other top lady golfers turn eyes to Uganda Ladies Open coming in November.