The Monitor (Kampala)
Innocent Ndawula
27 October 2009
Ugandan lady golfers have previously been labeled 'toothless' by many critics but that won't be the case anymore after Jasper Kamukama ended the foreign legion's five-year dominance by snatching the Ladies Open.
She won the tense play-off against Kenyan Mary Karano by two strokes over the weekend. Kamukama proved to be an effective party spoiler for Karano and face-saver for the nation as the visiting players seemed destined to fly back to their homes with all the glittering silverware.
Karano began play on the last day with a six-shot advantage and on course for a hat trick of titles but she faulted in her attempt by an inspired display from Kamukama. After paying tribute to her caddie and coach Norah Mbabazi Kagonyera who she keeps in touch with on a daily basis, Kamukama disclosed the tactics she employed to win.
"It was a lot of hard work for me. I plotted for this title early on and played a lot of golf this year. My improvement showed as I have been able to win many local tournaments. "On the second day, I was pumped up to play better after Karano told me that she was starting to fear my style of play. From then I knew I had a chance and I'm happy my Open dream came true," said the new Queen of the Greens.
The atmosphere at Kitante's Hole 19 (bar and lounge) was ecstatic as the full house including the foreigners mobbed Kamukama to congratulate her for the enormous feat.
Kamukama's win was a sweet consolation for the Ugandans after the national team failed to win the inaugural East and Central All Africa Challenge Trophy that was won by Tanzania.
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