This year’s Bujumbura Open could be Jean Baptiste Hakizimana’s final tournament in amateur golf. The country’s number one amateur golfer who left for Burundi this morning recently disclosed to Times Sport that the three-day event would put an end to his amateur career. This is it! I believe this is going to be my last tournament as an amateur golfer and I want to end it on a high, the 20-year-old reckoned. Before joining the professional ranks, I have to get a clearance from the Uganda Professional Golfers’ Association (UPGA) so I have applied to the association and expect a feedback very soon, Hakizimana highlighted. The UPGA recently asked me to put my request in writing which I have done, the MTN-sponsored golfer continued. Hakizimana who is a personal friend to Emmanuel Ruterana, Rwanda’s only pro-golfer is now certain that it won’t be long before he starts playing alongside the latter. Meanwhile, according to Steven Katwiremu, the new Kigali Golf Club vice captain, over 60 golfers from Burundi and Rwanda will grace the event that will be played on a Par-72 course. KGC who are making their ninth appearance at the annual event have dominated the event over the years. Our dominance in the competition over the years makes us absolute favourites this year. Last year, Rwanda scooped over 60 percent of the prizes, Katwiremu reflected before adding that like in the past, the course will be a challenging one. The Bujumbura course is very challenging because it has many bankers and trees, the vice captain further noted. KGC will field 15 golfers at the 54-hole event.Ends
