Gross score winners:

1. Dusabe Jule 3112. Happy Robert 3133. Alloys Nsabimana 3144. A. Nyirinkwaya 3155. L. Nkurunziza 3156. R. Oluba 3167. R. Otile 3188. E. Rutayisire 319Nett winners:

Celestine Nsanziwera 147Nkurunziza Emmanuel 151

Pros: Gross score 

1. Dismas Ndiza 2902. Ruterana Emmnauel 2953. JB Hakizimana 2954. Ernest Ndayisenga 2995. Joseph Karaya 3107. S Muthuiga 3147. Denis Aguyo 322

Jule Dusabe saved his best for last as he overcame a six-shot deficit on the final day to win this year’s Rwanda Open at the Par-72 Kigali golf club course in Nyarutarama on Saturday.

The Rwandan golfer shot the best round of the day with two-over-par 74 to finish with a gross score of 311, two strokes ahead of overnight leader Robert Happy, who scored nine-over-par 72 on the final day to settle for second place. 

Local players took the top five positions, with Alloys Nsabimana (314), 2013 winner Afrodis Nyirinkwaya (315) and Leonard Nkurunziza (315) taking third, fourth and fifth position respectively.

Ugandans Robert Oluba (316) and Ronaldt Otile (318) finished 6th and 7th respectively, while defending champion, Emmanuel Rutayisire finished in a disappointing 8th eight shots behind the winner.

Teenager Celestin Nsanzuwere, 14, won the Nett category with 147 on his Rwanda Open debut while Emmanuel Nkurunziza took second place after posting 151.

Kenyan veteran Dimas Ndiza claimed the professionals’ top prize with a total gross score of 290, leaving home favourites, Emmanuel Ruterana (295), last year’s winner Jean Baptist Hakizimana (295) and Ernest Ndayisenga (299) trailing in 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively.

Meanwhile, this year’s East Africa Challenge is scheduled for November 18-21 at the Kigali golf club course.

Visiting delegations from Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Burundi arrive on Tuesday, a day before the four-day tournament starts—the Ugandan team is already in the country.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw