Akope retains Kigali title
Nov 15, 2004
DEO Akope retained his Rwanda Open golf title but not before a tense sudden death playoff on Sunday
By Douglas Mazune
and William Muwonge
Akope 74 78 72 224
(sudden death)
Ruterana 76 78 70 224
Kasaija 77 78 74 229
Yokwe 74 78 80 232
DEO Akope retained his Rwanda Open golf title but not before a tense sudden death playoff on Sunday.
Rwanda’s lone scratch player Emmanuel Ruterana fired a closing round two under par-70 drawing level with Akope on 224 aggregate to force a playoff.
In the playoff on the par-3 hole one, Akope got a par while Ruterana bogeyed in front of an expectant home crowd to hand the Ugandan the title.
“Ruterana played well, he even had an eagle and I knew he had recovered but I remained cool. I saw the playoff coming and being a more experienced player, I expected to win it,†Akope said yesterday.
Akope had earlier tied with compatriot Charles Yokwe in the first and second rounds but the latter lost it in the closing round to finish fourth, eight strokes behind the joint leaders.
Toro Golf Club’s Stephen Kasaija had his best round of 74 on day three to beat Yokwe to third place.
The 54-hole event played at Kigali Golf Club attracted 96 players from hosts Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
Rose Naliaka re-affirmed her dominant status in East Africa by winning the Uganda Ladies Open at the weekend. The margin of the Kenyan star’s win at the par-72 Kitante course says it all.
Naliaka led all the way to go 22 strokes better than the runner up Sophie Viggo of Tanzania.
Viggo is the only player to have come closest to Naliaka when she fired 77 on day two but crumbled on day three.
In contrast, Naliaka showed the nerve to perform at the big stage. She made brilliant tee shots but had a few problems with her short game.
“I enjoyed myself, the course was in good shape,†Naliaka said after a birdie putt on the 18th green.
Naliaka also became the first lady golfer to win the Tanzania Open, the Kenya Open and the Uganda Open the same year.
The star, standing at over six feet, showed a game reminiscent of her display in 2001. At that time, the widely travelled player shot level par 72 on day one to take a nine-stroke lead.
She then built a 15-stroke advantage on day two and stepped up gear on final day to win with a record 33 strokes. Runner up was Monica Ntege.
Naliaka is a master of stroke play and match play events back home.
In contrast, her Ugandan colleagues are more accustomed to the medal format that does not apply in high profile events.
The event was sponsored by Celtel, Shell, Game Stores, Goodyear tyres, FedEx, NIC, Aon, Christex Garments, Ultimate Security and Pan African Insurance.
and William Muwonge
Akope 74 78 72 224
(sudden death)
Ruterana 76 78 70 224
Kasaija 77 78 74 229
Yokwe 74 78 80 232
DEO Akope retained his Rwanda Open golf title but not before a tense sudden death playoff on Sunday.
Rwanda’s lone scratch player Emmanuel Ruterana fired a closing round two under par-70 drawing level with Akope on 224 aggregate to force a playoff.
In the playoff on the par-3 hole one, Akope got a par while Ruterana bogeyed in front of an expectant home crowd to hand the Ugandan the title.
“Ruterana played well, he even had an eagle and I knew he had recovered but I remained cool. I saw the playoff coming and being a more experienced player, I expected to win it,†Akope said yesterday.
Akope had earlier tied with compatriot Charles Yokwe in the first and second rounds but the latter lost it in the closing round to finish fourth, eight strokes behind the joint leaders.
Toro Golf Club’s Stephen Kasaija had his best round of 74 on day three to beat Yokwe to third place.
The 54-hole event played at Kigali Golf Club attracted 96 players from hosts Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
Rose Naliaka re-affirmed her dominant status in East Africa by winning the Uganda Ladies Open at the weekend. The margin of the Kenyan star’s win at the par-72 Kitante course says it all.
Naliaka led all the way to go 22 strokes better than the runner up Sophie Viggo of Tanzania.
Viggo is the only player to have come closest to Naliaka when she fired 77 on day two but crumbled on day three.
In contrast, Naliaka showed the nerve to perform at the big stage. She made brilliant tee shots but had a few problems with her short game.
“I enjoyed myself, the course was in good shape,†Naliaka said after a birdie putt on the 18th green.
Naliaka also became the first lady golfer to win the Tanzania Open, the Kenya Open and the Uganda Open the same year.
The star, standing at over six feet, showed a game reminiscent of her display in 2001. At that time, the widely travelled player shot level par 72 on day one to take a nine-stroke lead.
She then built a 15-stroke advantage on day two and stepped up gear on final day to win with a record 33 strokes. Runner up was Monica Ntege.
Naliaka is a master of stroke play and match play events back home.
In contrast, her Ugandan colleagues are more accustomed to the medal format that does not apply in high profile events.
The event was sponsored by Celtel, Shell, Game Stores, Goodyear tyres, FedEx, NIC, Aon, Christex Garments, Ultimate Security and Pan African Insurance.