UGC Ladies Open: Rugumayo retains professionals title

By Thomas Odongo

Local professional golfer Ronald Rugumayo came atop a field of 46 players to win the pro event of the 2022 staging of the Uganda Golf Club (UGC) Ladies Open Golf Tournament that came to a close on Thursday at the club’s par-72 course in Kitante, Kampala.

However, the event overall winds down on Saturday, with the Silver category scheduled for 18th to 20th, Bronze category is for 19th and 20th and on 20th (Saturday) all will play including the subsidiaries and later that evening an awards ceremony will be held during the 19th hole experience.

Meanwhile, Rugumayo who wasn’t in the lead in the opening round shot an overall 6 over par 138 in two rounds (Wednesday and Thursday) to defend the title he won last year on home course.

As former UPGA Captain Deo Akope led in the opening round by 4 under par 68, Rugumayo was tied for fourth with Vincent Byamukama off 2 under par 70. After two rounds, Akope tied for fourth with Fred Wanzala with a total gross score of 142, two stokes behind Philip Kasozi who finished third.

However, Rugumayo improved by two strokes on day two shooting 4 under par 68. However, the best score of day two was 5 under par 67 returned by Becca Mwanja who finished second overall off 5 under 139, a stroke behind the winner.

Two amateurs were among the 13 players who made the cut. Tom Jingo and Samuel Kato tied for seventh with pro Adolf Muhumuza off a gross score of 144.

Lady professional Flavia Namakula tied for 34th with two others off 157 whilst her colleague Irene Nakalembe posted 165 and finished 41st.

Actions continues at Uganda Golf Club and the tournament winds down this weekend.

The event main sponsor is National Medical Stores (NMS) who earlier on unveiled a UGX60M sponsorship package. Other partners are; Tusker Malt Lager, Pepsi, NCBA Bank, CASE Clinic and Uganda Airlines.

At the same tournament, there are several prizes to be won, and the categories are as follows: – Silver category, Bronze category, Subsidiary Ladies, Subsidiary Men, Senior winner (Ladies and Men), Side Bets and first day bets. Over 200 players are expected to grace the tournament