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Rwanda: Golfers Blow It in Burundi
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The New Times (Kigali)
21 November 2007
Posted to the web 21 November 2007
Julius Mbaraga
Kigali
The national golf team paid heavily for its appalling show that saw them finish bottom at the three-day East African Challenge Cup which ended last Sunday in the Burundian capital Bujumbura.
It was Rwanda's worst performance since making her debut in the regional competition four years ago. The eight-man team led by top amateur golfer Jean Baptiste Hakizimana could only settle for 6.5 points to level with hosts Burundi. Kenya maintained her reputation as the region's top golfing nation after topping the event with 20.5 points, 3.5 points ahead of Tanzania that finished second while Uganda took third place with nine points.
After managing just half a point on Day one, Rwanda stepped up her performance on day two picking up four points before topping it up with another two points on the final day. The performance was in total contrast to last year's when Rwanda finished third in Tanzania. Following the dismal show, Kigali Golf Club captain Rajan Tiwari has insisted that the national team training strategy in preparation for such major competitions needs to be altered.
He said, "I'm disappointed with the results because we (golfers back at home) expected a lot more from them.' Tiwari also believes that the team still has a weakness in course management. 'We have to change the whole strategy of training and the golf course it self to suit international courses. This would allow our golfers to equip themselves with a more wide approach to courses that are different from ours,' he explained.
The team returned Monday afternoon. Meanwhile, Rwanda's professional golfer Emmanuel Ruterana bagged $550 (about Frw100, 000) after finishing third at Sunday's Uganda FedEx Open tournament that was staged at Uganda Golf Club in Kitante, Kampala.
The first two spots were claimed by the Ugandan duo of Deo Akope and Steven Kasaija.
Kenya 20.5 pts
Tanzania 17 pts
Uganda 9 pts
Burundi 6.5 pts
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Rwanda 6.5 pts
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