The 2024 Stanbic Entebbe Match Play started with a total of 24 ladies. That number comprised only four female teams, while the other 16 ladies teamed up with men (mixed pairs) in the 128-player field during the opening round of the tourment in April.
With now two rounds left to wind down the campaign, there’s only one female team left in the mix, and that is Lillian Koowe and Joyce Kisembo.
During the quarterfinals of the monthly showpiece held over the weekend at Entebbe Club’s par-71 course, Koowe and Kisembo secured a 3/2 victory over a male team consisting of Tony Ojok and Picole Lukyamuzi.
Overall, there were five ladies in the main event of the tournament over the weekend, but only Koowe and Kisembo advanced to the next round (semifinals) scheduled for next month.
Former winner Peace Kabasweka and her current playing partner Harriet Kitaka (female team) were edged 1 up by a male pair of Walter Tukahiirwa and Lambert Tumwesigye.
The other lady who was in the main event is former Uganda Ladies Golf Union President Anne Abeja. She and her playing partner William Esuma (a mixed pair) lost 4/3 to the male team of Emmanuel Lwanga and Vincent Katutsi
In the other match of the main event, Kisadha and Mwami Richard secured a 1-up victory over Kamuntu Herbert and Ojambo Stephen
In the next round, Koowe and Kisembo, who defeated another male team, Sam Kacungira and Sam Katutsi (3&1) in the quarterfinals, will aim to represent the ladies strongly in the competition as they face the male team of Walter Tukahiirwa and Lambert Tumwesigye. As the only female team to advance this far, Koowe and Kisembo have already captured the spotlight, and their upcoming match is certain to be a highlight of the semi-finals.
The other semifinal will feature Tony Kisadha and Richard Mwami against Emmanuel Lwanga and Vincent Asiimwe. Kisadha and Mwami narrowly won their last match by a single hole, while Lwanga and Asiimwe dominated their previous opponents with a 4/3 victory. This match is expected to be a closely contested battle.
Meanwhile, for the subsidiary category of the weekend event, Bruce Aijuka won Men’s Group A with 38 points (c/b), narrowly beating Serwano Walusimbi. Edimu Milton dominated Group B with 44 points, while Ivan Dushime led Group C with 45 points.
In the ladies’ category, Venessa Peris triumphed in Group A with 37 points (c/b), and Peace Hellen won Group B with 39 points. Martha Babirye and Tushabomwe Charity were runners-up in their respective groups.
The side bets went to Kalemba Paul (Longest Drive Men), Martha Babirye (Longest Drive Ladies), Owachi Jerry (Nearest to the Pin Men), and Mugisha Ruth (Nearest to the Pin Ladies).
