Over 150 golfers from all over the East African region are expected to take part in the 2016 Rwanda Open that tees off today and will run until Saturday at the 9-hole Kigali golf course in Nyarutarama.

According to Kigali Golf Club captain Davis Kashaka, this year’s edition will only attract amateurs unlike the previous editions that have been having a category for the professionals.

Speaking to Times Sport, Kashaka said that, "This year we shall not have the professional category after the sponsor pulled out, but we still hope to have a very successful event.”

Rwanda Open is the only golf tournament in the country that has been featuring professionals.

The professional category has been sponsored by a different sponsor every year with Computer Point funding last year’s edition, Equity Bank sponsoring the 2014 edition, while Rwanda Development Bank (BRD) funding the 2013 edition. Meanwhile, this year’s event will comprise six categories, namely; Amateur Open category (handicap 9 and lower) playing 72 holes, Subsidiary category(36 holes), Men handicap 10-18, 19-28, seniors (55 years and above) and the ladies’ handicap 36 and lower that will comprised 36 golfers.

The competition format will be 72-hole scratch stroke play (individual) while the stipulated rounds will be four rounds each of 18 holes played over four days.

Rwanda’s latest entrant into the professional category, Jules Dusabe, is the reigning champion in the amateurs’ category, while Kenyan Dismas Indiza won the professionals category.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw