Ericsson OpenVenue (Kitante Golf Club)-Kampala E. Ruterana 67D. Onyango 68G. Mande 68 Emmanuel Ruterana is finally relishing his new swing after winning this year’s Ericsson Open on Wednesday. On his way to snaring the title, the local golf master carded an impressive 67 in the 18-hole tournament that attracted 12 professionals at the Par 72 Kitante Golf Course in Kampala, Uganda. After birdies on holes 3 and 5, the BCR-sponsored golfer maintained his tempo with three more birdies on the back nine to ultimately beat off a stiff challenge from the Ugandan pair of Dennis Onyango and Godfrey Mande. The duo tied in second place after playing four-under. Ruterana seized a share of the lead for the first time on the 13th when he two-putted from 20 feet for birdie. But he finally cut loose after stroking another birdie on hole 15. The win preserved his consistency on the course after a series of impressive displays this month. On his debut in the lucrative KCB Pro-Am Tour grand finale (Frw 8,021,849) at Nyali Golf and Country Club in Mombasa, Ruterana made the final cut, finishing 13th out of 45 golfers. He topped up this performance with yet another absorbing show last weekend when he finished third in the Kampala Casino/Tusker Malt Lager co-sponsored 3-day Inter Regional Golf tournament. Ruterana collected $ 500 (Frw 0.27m) for his Ericsson heroics to boast his chances ahead of next month’s lucrative Uganda Open. “It was a good day,” said Ruterana, who put himself in a strong position ahead of the Uganda Open. “I was in control of my game today and really enjoyed myself. “I love playing on this course. It has become my second home”. The 25-year-old’s display also signaled a strong warning to his Uganda Professional Golfers’ Association (UPGA) compatriots ahead of the Uganda Open. Ends
