UGANDA: Tanzania National team member Hawa Wanyeche made a remarkable return to major golf tournament, taking the lead after the first round of the Uganda Ladies Golf Open Tournament at Entebbe Golf Club yesterday.
Representing Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) Lugalo Golf Club of Dar es Salaam, Wanyeche carded a three-over par 74 to sit at the top of the leaderboard.
Wanyeche’s performance is a significant comeback after a period of relative quietude.
Her decision to step down from her role as the Tanzania Golf Union (TLGU) competition secretary in order to focus on her practice has clearly paid dividends.
Once a captain of the TPDF Lugalo Ladies team, Wanyeche demonstrated her readiness with a solid start to the day.
Her round began with an early birdie on the first hole, followed by two pars.
However, she faced challenges with a double bogey on the 7th and a bogey on the 8th hole, closing the front nine with three-over par.
On the back nine, Wanyeche recovered with two birdies, two bogeys, and five pars, ending the 18-hole round with a three-over par 74.
Wanyeche’s nearest competitor is host Marth Babirye, who trails by one stroke with a score of 75.
Other Tanzanian golfers also showed strong performances.
Neema Olomi from Arusha Gymkhana Club (AGC) is in third place with a 76.
Olomi had a consistent front nine with two bogeys and seven pars but struggled on the back nine with a birdie and four bogeys.
Madina Iddi, also from AGC and fresh from winning the UGC Ladies Open at Uganda Golf Club in Kampala, is in fourth place with a score of 78.
Despite a promising start with four pars, Iddi struggled mid-round with five consecutive bogeys but managed to recover slightly with a birdie on the 10th hole.
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Vicky Elias from TPDF Lugalo and Aalaa Somji from AGC are tied for fifth place with a score of 79, alongside Ugandans Herriet Kitaka and Meron Kyomugisha.
The 54-hole tournament continues today and will culminate on Saturday, promising more exciting action as the golfers vie for the top.