Duo target Bujumbura Golf Open success

PROFESSIONAL golfers Emmanuel Ruterana and Jean Baptiste Hakizimana are determined to end their long jinx by taking part in the Burundi Golf Open that tees on Saturday at the Par 72 Bujumbura Golf Course.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Emmanuel Ruterana became Rwandau2019s first golfer to turn professional five years ago but has since fallen behind Jean Baptiste Hakizimana (right). The New Times/File.

PROFESSIONAL golfers Emmanuel Ruterana and Jean Baptiste Hakizimana are determined to end their long jinx by taking part in the Burundi Golf Open that tees on Saturday at the Par 72 Bujumbura Golf Course.Ruterana and Hakizimana left for Bujumbura yesterday to take part in the 13th edition of the competition that has attracted over 90 golfers from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda.In the run in to the event, Hakizimanana praised the course."I have played on the course before and it is a good one. My swing is also coming on nicely so I feel I’m in a good position to claim the lion’s share of the US$ 10,000 (Rwf6m)prize money,” said the 26-year old, who finished 4th last year said. Kenya’s Dimas Indiza won the event last year.After the Burundi Open, the duo will switch focus to the Nairobi leg of the KCB East African Golf tour set for July.About 40 professional golfers from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Burundi are expected to grace the event that will have prize money of Rwf7.47m.