Ugandan golfers fail Rwanda Open test

By Michael Nsubuga

UGANDAN golfers could not maintain the momentum that would have had one of them winning the Rwandan Open as the tournament ended at Kigali Golf Club on Saturday.

Having led the tournament for three days, with Ronald Rugumayo, on top for two days and Happy Robert leading going into the final day of the tournament expectations were high for the Ugandans who also had Ugandan Champion Ronald Otile following closely.

But it was the Rwandans who saved the best for last with one of their own Jules Dusabe winning the tournament with 311 gross over four days of action.

Uganda's Happy Robert was good for second, two strokes off with 313 while Robert Oluba (316) and Ronald Otile (318) finished 7th and 8th respectively.

On the final day, the Rwandans had four of their golfers among the top five with Alloys Nsabimana, Afrodis Nyirikwaya and Leonard Nkurunziza displacing Uganda's cast of Herman Mutebi, Ronald Rugumayo and Otile who were in pole before the last day's action.

In the professionals contest Kenya's Dismas Indiza beat Rwandan Emmanuel Ruterana, Jean Baptiste Hakizimana abd Ernest Ndayisenga to the top cash prize. 

The Ugandans will now put their minds on the East African Challenge title defense starting November 17-21 on the same course.

Uganda won six games and drew one on the final day to win the 16th edition of the Challenge at Entebbe Club last year edging Kenya by a point.

This year's hosts Rwanda, finished third with Tanzania, Ethiopia and Rwanda finishing fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.

Main open amateurs (Top 5)

Jules Dusabe 311

Happy Robert 313

Alloys Nsabimana 314

Afrodis Nyirikwaya 315

Leonarn Nkurunziza 315

Professionals

Dismas Indiza 290

Emmanuel Ruterana 295

J.B Hakizimana 295

Ernest Ndayisenga 299

Joseph Karaya 310