By Our Reporter
On Saturday night, golfers got to experience the spirit of SheWalks in its entirety as Johnnie Walker celebrated and spotlighted some of the incredible women who had taken to the greens for three straight days in pursuit of the coveted 76th Johnnie Walker Uganda Ladies Open title.
The SheWalks-themed 19th hole celebration was the perfect icing on the cake after a dramatic final day of golf at Entebbe.
Tanzania’s Hawa Wanyeche stole the show, finally claiming the Uganda Ladies Open title after several attempts. The Tanzanian finished the three-round championship on 228 strokes, 12 over par (+12), carding rounds of 77, 77 and 74, to edge Uganda’s Peace Kabasweka and Keisha Kagoro, who tied for second on 229 (+13), much to the disappointment of the strong home gallery.
“The game was not easy, but I kept fighting and I thank God for being with me. I never gave up, even when I was behind from the first day. I came here to fight for the trophy because everyone comes to a tournament wanting to win,” Wanyeche said. “I’m very excited to finally win this championship. I have played the Uganda Ladies Open many times, and my previous best was second at Entebbe, where I lost by one shot on the 18th. The competition was very strong, but today it was my luck and my time.”
Wanyeche also thanked her sponsors who helped her secure an air ticket to Kampala for the tournament.
But while the result may have been a bitter pill for the Ugandan pair to swallow, there was certainly no shortage of reasons to celebrate. As the night rolled in, Johnnie Walker, the title sponsor of the Open, ensured that the ladies had a 19th-hole experience worthy of the occasion.
And what a night it was!
From the delicious cocktails, the full Johnnie Walker whisky portfolio, to a sumptuous dinner, the evening had all the ingredients of a proper celebration. Even the new Miss Universe, Uganda- Michelle Daka, joined the festivities, but she was only one part of an evening packed with surprises.
There was fashion. There was music. There was art. There was live entertainment. And, of course, there was dancing.
With an African-inspired dress code setting the tone, the golfers traded their golf shoes for party looks, as they were celebrated and recognised for the bold strides they had made on the course over three demanding days.
The entertainment continued with a soulful performance from songstress Nava Grey, whose music had the ladies and their guests singing along. Her hit So Kalami, proved once again, to be one of those songs that can turn an entire room into a chorus.
Then came one of the evening’s biggest highlights, the competition for the Best Dressed.
Hosted by Deedan, with Miss Universe-Daka, celebrated model scout Joram Muzira, and Jonnie Walker influencer and fashion designer- Axarya Lincoln, the segment brought the ladies into the spotlight- this time not for golf, but for their fashion sense.
The excitement in the room reached another level as some of the favourites from the course discovered that being a favourite on the green did not necessarily make one a favourite on the 19th.
And then Wanyeche took to the stage. Fresh from winning the biggest prize of the night on the course, the Tanzanian champion showed that her talents extended well beyond the fairway, delivering some rare dance moves that got the crowd cheering wildly.
With DJ Anselm keeping the crowd moving with his mixes, Wanyeche proved that her dance strokes might just rival her strokes on the green.
Representing Johnnie Walker, Judie Nandekya explained why the SheWalks experience was the perfect way to honour the women who had battled it out over the three days.
“Johnnie Walker SheWalks is about celebrating and spotlighting incredible women who are scaling hills in heels in their different fields, and tonight it was our lady golfers,” she said. “The resilience it takes to excel on the greens for three straight days is more than commendable, and that is why this was the befitting celebration for the queens of the course who kept walking regardless.”
For one night, the pressure of the greens was replaced by music, fashion, laughter and celebration. The trophies had been handed out, the final putts had dropped, and the queens of golf had every reason to let their hair down.
Now, the spotlight shifts to the Johnnie Walker Uganda Seniors Open, which tees off on Friday, August 21. The Seniors Open will climax with yet another Johnnie Walker 19th hole experience curation on Saturday- August 22nd.