PROFESSIONAL golf duo of Jean Baptista Hakizimana and Emmanuel Ruterana has intensinfied preparations for the Kigezi Easter Golf Open in Kabale this weekend. 

Ruterana who will be making his first appearance in any golf tournament this year told Times Sport yesterday that he has prepared intensively for this tournament and is looking forward to bag honours. 

"It is going to be my first major competition this year and I am heading to Kabale with a mission of winning the tournament. I know the kind of challenge I will meet from Ugandan golfers but I am focused on staging a good performance to win the title,” added Ruterana who had finished his early morning session at Kigali golf club in Nyarutarama yesterday. 

Ruterana is a four-time Rwanda Open title winner in 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2013. The Rwanda Open is Rwanda’s biggest golf tournament and attracts golfers from Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Burundi. 

His team mate Hakizimana, the highly-rated local golfer goes to Kabale as a favourite following his victorious performance in the Kabale Golf Open held in November last year. 

Just after failing to seize a share of the prize in the UAE Golf Tour of Dubai, Hakizimana hit a two under par 69 on the first day and five under par 66 to win the two-day tournament with a gross score of 135. 

The Kigezi golfers are however confident of a win because they are used to the golf course. The Kigezi golfer’s captain, Herbert Tugume says they will not take chances, because Rwandan golfers are very good and competitive. 

The amateur event is expected to attract over 100 golfers from Kampala, Jinja, Lugazi, Tororo, Entebbe, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Arua, Masindi and Kabale. 

The winner will be determined by the best gross score and several prizes will be won in the other groups.