Rubangura wins MTN/Ericsson open

MTN/ERICSSON OPEN LEADERBOARD F. Rubangura 71netA. Nkwandi 78netG. Bing 79netOther winnersSteven Katwiremu (Gross winner)Handicap (10-18)H. Rwigamba 72netHandicap (19-28)M. Peter 39ptsLadiesE. Mukakalisa 35pts After having a quiet 2007 season, Fraterne Rubangura returned into the limelight with a sparkling performance to win the 2008 MTN/Ericsson Open golf tournament last Saturday at Kigali Golf Club. The handicap 04 golfer cruised to a seven-shot victory after carding 71net. Despite firing some wild bogeys on hole 1, 5, 7 and 13, the 27-year-old compensated this show with birdies on hole 3 and 10 to keep his lead intact. From hole 14, Rubangura fired 5 pars to shake off a late charge from Andrew Nkwandi; the club’s ex-president and one of the most experienced golfers in the competition. Nkwandi secured second place, finishing ahead of compatriot Bing on 78net. “I am very pleased with the way I hit the ball today. I hit some good shots but I made some bombs out there,” Rubangura smilingly said. “The only difference today was I made some good putts. I didn’t throw away anything like I did at the close of last year.” “I also want to thank the tournament sponsors MTN for staging such a big event. The prizes involved were very catchy too,” Rubangura continued. MTN’s Chief Executive Officer Themba Khumalo and his Ericsson South Africa counterpart Carl-Henric Svanberg were also in action. After the event, Khumalo said that MTN was proud to associate with golf and Rwandan sports in general. “This is just one way of saying thank you to our loyal customers. It is also one way of celebrating what the company has achieved in the past,” Khumalo noted. Other day’s winners included Steven Katwiremu, Henry Rwigamba and Esther Mukakalisa. The giant telecommunications provider injected over Frw 6million in the one-day event that attracted 80 golfers.Ends

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Rubangura wins MTN/Ericsson open