Just when she thought it was over, Kenya’s Mercy Nyanchama found herself tying on the same score with Tanzanian Neema Olomi in the just concluded Uganda Ladies Open golf tournament at the par-71 Lugazi Hills Golf and Country Club in Uganda.
Nyanchama, who plays for Njoro Country Club, had rounded up the three-day 54 holes tournament on 230 gross (78-75-77), while Olomi from Arusha Gymkhana Golf Club also had the same score of 230 gross (73-80-77), setting stage for a tie-breaking contest to determine the overall winner.
The play off saw Nyanchama and Olomi tied again at the par-3 hole 8 after both played pars on their first attempt as much pressure continued with excitement from the gallery.
But Nyamchama stayed cool and focused in the second attempt to roll a level par and ultimately emerged the overall silver winner after Olomi played a bogey to claim the second slot.
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“It’s a great honour to win this trophy. The tournament was challenging, especially playing against skilled ladies, but I was really prepared to face them. My participation in many tournaments in Kenya also improved my skills. I dedicate this trophy to my club Njoro and my supporters,” said Nyanchama.
Uganda’s Martha Babirye, a former winner of the ladies opens, scored 233 gross (77, 80, 76) to finish third, while another Ashley Awuor from Royal Nairobi Club was fourth on a score of 234 gross (80, 77, 77). Defending champion Iddy Madina Hussein from Tanzania was fifth on a score of 242 gross (84, 81, 77).
The tournament organised by the Uganda Ladies Golf Union (UGLU) featured a strong contingent of top ladies from Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Rwanda.
The 2025 Johnnie Walker Uganda Golf Open series continues with the 84th Amateurs Open, teeing off on Wednesday, to Sunday at the same venue.
Elsewhere, handicap 14 Saqib Aboo carded a countback score of 41 points to emerge the overall winner of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) golf tournament at Nyali Golf and Country Club, on Saturday.
Diana Mbuba, playing off handicap 8, was the gross winner on a 6 over par 77 gross and the hidden hole prize was scooped by Peter Kimanga.
The men winner on 41 points was handicap 25 David Ngunjiri, while handicap 19 Tony Mintos brought 39 points to claim the runner-up slot.
Handicap 27 Pauline Gachihi won the lady’s prize with 39 points, beating handicap 8 Diana Mbuba to the runner-up slot by a single point difference.