By Our Correspondent

Twelve months after Ugandan lady golfer Evah Magala celebrated her victory at the Nigeria Ladies Open in Uyo, Akwa State, another Ugandan has also won the 2019 open at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report

She is Irene Nakalembe, an Amateur handicap 4 Golfer, who was adjudged as Best Gross player having played 236 in three day event, organised by the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria, LGAN, to mark the end of Ekanem Ekwueme led Executive.

Irene grossed 78 on the first day, 80 on the second day while ended the third day with another 80 totally 236 to edged out the over 100 golfers who competed for the prestigious 2019 Nigeria Ladies Open trophy

Rachael Danjuma of the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja who emerged the Runner Up Gross played 248 in the 3 days event. The breakdown of Rachael Danjuma result shows that, the newly elected Zonal Vice President, North, played 82 on the first day, 82 on the second day and 84 on the last day.

Defending Champion, Evah Magala, who is also the Lady Captain, Uganda Golf Club failed to defend the trophy she won in 2018 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom as she returned a gross of 254 to emerge the third Best in gross.

Police woman Amina Wilfred of the IBB International Golf and Country club, Abuja, won the Best Nett with a score of 228, Helen Alechenu of Otukpo Golf Club, Benue State won the Runner up Nett on a count back.

In the auxiliary prizes, Rachael Danjuma shot 220 metres in hole one which was adjudged as the longest drive while Evah Magala won nearest to the Pin in Hole I6 with One point Nine metres. Eunice Ogah of Portharcourt Golf Club emerged the winner of Lady Super Veterans while Folashade Olateju of IBB International Golf and Country Club won the Lady Veterans award.

In a release signed by Director, Media & Publicity for the Open, Kayode Adeniyi, the overall winner, Irene Nakalembe, attributed the success of Ugandan ladies to the encouragement and support they are getting from their Nigerian counterparts.

“In fact our people back home call us Nigerian because we always come and participate in different events here. Now we know how to eat pepper, we can eat Suya and Amala. We also understand the terrain of Clubs in Nigeria”. She boasted.

In her speech, the outgone LGAN President, Ekanem Ekwueme commended the Open’s Local Organising Committee led by Julie Okah-Donli for putting up a good show

“I say ‘thank you’ for the support, ‘thank you’ for the friendship, ‘thank you’ for the loyalty and ‘thank you’ for making my last day in office, a memorable one.

Kayode AdeniyI qouted Ekanem Ekwueme as saying that things have improved for the ladies and the association in the last two years as they have travelled far and wide playing the game both within and outside the continent.

“Our trip to Achimota Golf Club, Accra, Ghana last year for the All African Challenge Trophy with over 50 ladies was a remarkable achievement and such thing should be encouraged by the new Executive.

“I congratulated all the ladies for taking part in this open. I urged the new Executive to keep the flag flying”. She said.