Ruterana wins Rwanda Open

EMMANUEL Ruterana is $1000 richer after winning this year’s Rwanda Open Golf Championship at Kigali Golf Club.Ruterana displayed all his class and experience as he brushed aside a late challenge from Jean Baptist Hakizimana to win by three strokes.

Monday, February 27, 2012
Hakizimana settled for second place after finishing three strokes off the pace. New Times / T. kisambira.

Rwanda OpenProfessional category (Top 5)

1. E. Ruterana (RWA) 2812. J.B Hakizimana (RWA) 2843. E. Ndayisenga (RWA) 2924. J. Kisia (BUR) 2975. S. Opio (UGA) 301EMMANUEL Ruterana is $1000 richer after winning this year’s Rwanda Open Golf Championship at Kigali Golf Club.Ruterana displayed all his class and experience as he brushed aside a late challenge from Jean Baptist Hakizimana to win by three strokes.After a thrilling four-under par 68 in the third round, he leveled the course on the final day to finish with 281, an impressive eight under par, for his second Open victory since the professional category inception back in 2008.Hakizimana fought hard and briefly threatened his counterpart, but had to settle for the runner-up slot after carding one-over par in the final round.Ernest Ndayisenga was 11 strokes further back in third while little known Burundian John Kisia carded 297 over four rounds to claim fourth place.Silver Opio was the best placed Ugandan in fifth position (301).Despite the victory, Ruterana was not happy with the level of golf played over the four rounds. "Of course it’s great to win but you cannot say the level of golf was up there.”  "The region’s top golfers (Deo Akope and Dismas Indiza) were missing in action and that took something away from the tournament.”Last year’s edition was won by Kenya’s Indiza with Jean Baptiste Hakizimana settling for second position ahead of Ruterana, who finished third.