Patrick Rukundo is gradually carving a niche for himself as a great Golf talent in America and has already been tipped as a big prospect who can go far in the sport.
Certainly, Rukundo's life has not been an easy one, born in a refugee camp after Rwanda's turbulent years, the youngster moved to US with his family six years ago and he is now excelling in golf in the city of Dayton in the Western part of the state of Ohio.
"In the refugee camp, you may not dream big, because you know you can’t get it. So when I moved here, I could think differently. When you have an opportunity, you have to take it – I take every opportunity out there and run with it.” Rukundo told US based website Dayton.com
"I was in track and cross country at Dunbar and Coach Booker knew I was looking for a college. He connected Coach William Ware with me. Coach Ware called me, wanted me to come to Wilberforce on a golf scholarship – it was a good opportunity, so I took it.”
The 22-year-old admits he loves Golf and spends more time practicing it as he hopes to play it to the highest level.
"I love the game and spend more than 30 hours a week on the course. I keep trying to get better, so I’m studying, figuring out new stuff, and keep focusing on the game so when school starts I’ll be prepared. I practice every day in any weather – there’s one indoor course in Beavercreek for winter, just one at a time you can play."
"It’s a tough sport, and you have to practice to figure out the game. As long as I’m enjoying the game, I still have room to improve. In the beginning, I couldn’t be on the course more than four or five hours a day; now, as soon as I wake up, I think about going to the golf course."
The emerging Rwandan golf talent further showed appreciation to coach Ware and thanked him for giving him and his brother Yves Tuyishime a new life through the sport.
"But I couldn’t do anything without Coach Ware – he changed my life, and my 19-year-old brother’s, Yves Tuyishime, who’s also on the Wilberforce team. He’s my best friend, and we challenge each other. As long as you have a good coach, anything can happen.” He added.
Rukundo left the country with his family to the US in 2016 at the age of 16.
He is now enrolling at the Wilberforce University on a golf scholarship and will also major in electrical engineering as well as hone his talent in sports by featuring for the University team.
With the help of two coaches, Rukundo has also gotten a Miami Valley Golf P.J. Boatwright internship, and now plays on the prestigious Miami Valley Golf Club course.