Hakizimana takes early lead at Rwanda Open
PHOTO | JACOB OWITI Top Kenya pro Dismas Indiza tees off during the Nation Golf Circuit at the Nyanza Golf Club on February 22, 2014. He is currently competing at the Rwanda Open.
What you need to know:
- Hakizimana, one of the three Rwandese professional golfers, made a couple of birdies en-route to his one shot lead. He, however, at the same time dropped a number of shots which denied him a clear lead.
- Aphrodis Nyirinkwaya will be defending the amateur title - after narrowly by beating compatriot, Jules Mutesa and Ugandan, Willy Deus Kitata on count back - last year.
Local hero Jean Baptiste Hakizimana produced the best score of the opening round, a one under par 71 to take a narrow one shot lead in the 2014 Rwanda Open at the par 72 Kigali Golf Club course on Wednesday.
Hakizimana, one of the three Rwandese professional golfers, made a couple of birdies en-route to his one shot lead. He, however, at the same time dropped a number of shots which denied him a clear lead.
Chasing the leader and a shot adrift was Kenya’s Sullivan Muthugia who shot level par 72 after missing a number of birdie putts. The day one leader board in the event being sponsored by Equity Bank, GOtv and Serena Hotel included David Odhiambo who shot one over par 73, and long hitting Dismas Indiza who fired two over par 74.
Another Kenyan James Lorum and Uganda’s Dennis Anguyo tied on 75. The four-day tournament, which marks its 18th anniversary, has attracted a total of 130 golfers including 30 professionals drawn from Kenya, Burundi, Uganda and hosts Rwanda.
The Rwf 27m (About $10,000) at the valley course in the Nyarutarama area, is Rwanda’s biggest annual golf tournament. Kenyan professionals have dominated the previous editions and it will be interesting to see how they fair this year.
DIVIDED
The amateur section is divided into two categories, those playing off handicap nine and better who started playing along with the pros, and those in the 10-18 (men) and ladies were due to start their round on Thursday July 3.
Aphrodis Nyirinkwaya will be defending the amateur title - after narrowly by beating compatriot, Jules Mutesa and Ugandan, Willy Deus Kitata on count back - last year.
Other amateurs to watch will Rwandan home talents, Celestin Habineza and Patrick Uwumukiza. For the Professionals besides early leader Jean Baptiste Hakizimana, other locals who are eyeing the title are Emmanuel ‘Ruremesha’ Ruterena and Ernest Ndayisenga. Uganda’s Deo Akope is also in Kigali to try his luck against the hot charging Kenyans.
