Emmy Hashakimana after she won the Uganda Ladies Open at Entebbe Club.
Twentieth November will go in history as Irene Nakalembe’s greatest day in her golf career. The day when she upstaged all to win the coveted Uganda Ladies Golf Open, the title she has chased for seven years with near finishes. In all these years, she would come close but not there.
Facing a stiff challenge from former champions, Martha Babirye and Neema Olomi in the last round, Nakalembe put up all her energies to emerge champion of this year’s edition.
Looking history, Nakalembe finished second and third in 2019 and 2020 respectively when Martha Babirye won the topmost ladies crown. In 2018 she finished third and Neema Olomi of Tanzania took the title. She came second in 2017 and Eaton Angel of Tanzania took the crown. She came third in 2015 and 2016 when Flavia Namakula, now a professional golfer, took the gong. She came fourth 2014 when Flavia Namakula again took it. That is how Entebbe-based golfer has struggled to reach the podium.
“I feel great to be a champion. It has taken me seven years of waiting. I thank God for this victory. I had the belief that I would win and worked for it. I thank my caddie, my coach Vincent Araali Byamukama, my manager, Yunus Bbaale and everyone that has supported me,” said Nakalembe after being declared the ladies champion.
“I prepared more like the any other game. But this time, the exposure from other countries and involvement of a manager helped me a great deal. The pressure was too much from all angles but I thank God I overcame,” Nakalembe disclosed.
Nakalembe, arguably East Africa’s finest amateur lady golfer had won almost all the big tournaments in the region but the Uganda Ladies Open crown had eluded her. For instance, she had won Entebbe Ladies Open for a record seven times. Coming to this tournament, she had won the prestigious Tanzania Ladies Open in Dar-es-Salaam and Ikoyi Ladies Open in Nigeria. Playing off handicap four, Nakalembe shot a total of 222 gross over three rounds. She beat Kenya’s Mercy Nyachama who finished second on 235 gross, by three strokes on her home course.
It has taken me seven years of waiting. I feel great to be a champion. I thank God for this victory. I had the belief that I would win and worked for it.
Now, Nakalembe is mentioned in the same sentence of history with Martha Babirye, Flavia Namakula, Jasper Kamukama, Norah Kagonyera and Alice Kego of Uganda; Mercy Nyachama and Mary Karano of Kenya, Neema Olomi and Eaton Angel of Tanzania and Mellisa Nawa of Zambia.
Defending champion, Martha Babirye, settled for third place with a total of 232 gross, Kenya’s Mercy Nyanchama after returning 225, Kabasweka was fourth with 236 while round one leader Meron Kyomugisha finished fifth with 243 gross.
Gloria Mbaguta finished sixth with 247, Vicky Elias of Tanzania was seventh with 247, Lillian Koowe was eighth with 253, Dianah Nambalirwa was ninth with 255 while Resty Nalutaaya finished 256 closing the leaderboard of Top 10.
Uganda Golf Club golfer, Gloria Mbaguta, who has always been on course with her praises Nakalembe as talented and steady golfer. “Irene is a very good and steady player. Her victory is meticulously earned,” Mbaguta noted.
Distance, focus, patience and ability to contain pressure are the key winning attributes of this Entebbe based golfer. Nakalembe is a long-hitter, who maintains her composure while on the course. She focuses on her game rather than people. She doesn’t count her scores as she plays. She is so focused to the game. This is what makes the difference.
“My biggest challenge now is to get better players who can give me a real challenge. What I need now is to play with more affluent ladies in bigger tournament to enable me take my game to another level. I am waiting for this wonderful year to end to reveal my next plans,” said Nakalembe, a born-again golfer.
Her success has not come as a result of individual effort. She would have never come this far had it not to be the supportive members of her home club – Entebbe Golf Club.
“Entebbe Golf Club members have been supportive from the time I started playing golf to this day. Every trophy I win is for us, not mine,” said Nakalembe.
She is right. Entebbe Golf Club’s congratulatory message on her Facebook wall reads…
It might be your greatest win, but it is built from your other wins; It might be your win Irene, but we at Entebbe Club share in its glory, for it is also our win; It might be just one win among many, but it is no light feat and a demonstration of your might and your legacy…Uganda’s greatest lady golfer. Entebbe Club congratulates you.
In Nigeria, Entebbe-based golfer put up a spirited fight to beat all to Ikoyi Ladies Open title at IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja. She garnered 236 gross over 54 holes to emerge champion in an event that attracted over 60 golfers. The duo of Rachael Danjuma and Amina Wilfred, both Nigerians, fought hard to stop her but could only settle for second and third position after returning 248 and 252 gross scores respectively.
Nakalembe is the third Ugandan golfer to win the coveted crown after former Uganda Ladies Union President, Eva Magala, and Uganda’s only lady professional, Flavia Namakula. Magala was the defending champion who finished in the fourth place. Other Ugandans who made it in the top ten were Gloria Mbaguta, Evelyn Asiimwe and Peace Kabasweka who finished 7th, 9th and 10th respectively.
Born in 1982, Irene Nakalembe is a mother of two daughters – Erika and Amber. She holds a Bachelor of Development Studies and works with CIC General Insurance in Kampala.
She gave her life to Christ in 2016 and believes in God in everything she does.
To her, life is a journey with ups and downs. And says that how you deal with downs takes you up if you trust God.
Uganda Ladies Open was part of the seven tournament series sponsored by Tusker Malt Lager in partnership withAbsa Bank Uganda, Pepsi, Britam Uganda, Case Medical Services, Egis Road Operation Uganda, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Abubaker Technical Services & General Supplies, National Council of Sports (NCS), NTV Uganda, Pinnacle Security Limited and Uganda Tourism Board (UTB).
No. Name R1 R2 R3 Total
- Irene Nakalembe 78 71 73 222
- Mercy Nyanchama (Kenya) 77 74 74 225
- Martha Babirye 81 73 78 232
- Peace Kabasweka 77 79 80 236
- Meron Kyomugisha 70 89 84 243
- Gloria Mbaguta 82 81 84 247
- Vicky Elias (Tanzania) 78 85 84 247
- Lillian Koowe 88 83 82 253
- Dianah Namabalirwa 85 83 87 255
- Resty Lutaaya 86 87 83 256
Uganda Ladies Open WinnersSince 2007
(All Ugandan unless stated)
2021: Irene Nakalembe
2020: Martha Babirye
2019: Martha Babirye
2018: Neema Olomi (Tanzanian)
2017: Angel Eaton (Tanzanian)
2016: Flavia Namakula
2015: Flavia Namakula
2014: Flavia Namakula
2013: Angel Eaton (Tanzania)
2012: Angel Eaton (Tanzania)
2011: Flavia Namakula
2010: Flavia Namakula
2009: Jasper Kamukama
2008: Melissa Nawa (Zambian)
2007: Mary Karano (Kenyan)
0 Comments