KWAZULU-NATAL thwarted Gauteng North’s bid for a fifth successive 72-Hole Teams Championship title in the Swiss Trophy, while Southern Cape A clinched promotion in the Challenge Trophy at Mossel Bay Golf Club on Wednesday this week.
Gauteng North A took the first round lead on 146, but KZN A overhauled the defending champions with back-to-back rounds of 149 on day two.
Taking a five shot lead over Western Province A into the final round, Michaela Fletcher and Tiffany Avern-Taplin held off a spirited challenge from Cara Gorlei and Kelly Erasmus to claim a three-shot victory for KZN on 603.
Avern-Taplin kept KZN A in the driver’s seat with an 81 and Fletcher returned a 76 for a final round 157. It was the coastal team’s first victory in the prestigious team competition in 12 years.
“We had to work very hard and we are absolutely thrilled to be the champions,” said Avern-Taplin.
“I’ve represented KZN for 11 years, and this is the first time I am on a winning team, so you can imagine my own delight. Our manager, Judy Paterson, was also on a winning team in 1985, so we are really going to celebrate this victory.
“We are especially pleased to have won this for our former president, Karen Olivant, who has taken the helm at Womens Golf South Africa and we would like to dedicate this victory to her.”
Avern-Taplin had high praise for Fletcher, whose rounds of 72, 74, 77 and 76 were pivotal to the team’s success, and the third member of the side, Lizzie Currie.
“Michaela has already proven herself a tough competitor with three match play victories this year and she was an absolute rock this week,” Avern-Taplin said. “We couldn’t have done this without her commitment and determination.
“Lizzie (Currie) may not have contributed to our scores, but we could not have done without her positive attitude. She kept Michaela and I motivated and encouraged and was the secret weapon to our success.”
Meanwhile Gorlei carded a 77 and Erasmus posted a 78 for WP A, who took second on 606.
Reigning Sanlam SA Women’s Amateur Stroke Play champion Park edged out Fletcher by one shot for the individual title with rounds of 72, 75, 74 and 77. Park combined with Eugenie Clark, who returned an 80 to secure third place for the defending champions on 610.
CHALLENGE TROPHY
Southern Cape A delighted the home crowds when Maggi du Toit and Anzelle Zeelie managed to hold off Zethu Myeki and Siviwe Duma from Border to claim promotion with a two shot victory.
Du Toit carded a 78 and Zeelie returned an 86 to give the side a final round 164 and a winning total of 645.
Myeki carded an 80 and Duma an 82 for a 162 and a runner-up finish for Border.
“The girls played really hard to put us in an attacking position with a four shot lead going into the final round,” said Southern Cape Women’s Golf Association president, Rita Heroldt.
“There was a lot of pressure on them, but they held up beautifully to win. Everyone worked really hard to prepare for the championship.
“I am absolutely thrilled for the A-team and equally proud of our B-team, who underlined their future promise by finishing sixth.”
SWISS TROPHY RESULTS
603 – KwaZulu-Natal A 148 149 149 157
606 – Western Province A 148 151 152 155
610 – Gauteng North A 146 154 153 157
611 – Gauteng A 150 156 148 157
621 – Boland A 153 156 149 163
629 – Mpumalanga 161 153 155 160
632 – Gauteng North C 158 157 152 165
642 – Gauteng North B 153 166 164 159
644 – North West A 163 156 160 165
650 – Western Province B 163 159 159 169
658 – Gauteng B 159 165 166 168
667 – Ekurhuleni A 168 168 157 174
CHALLENGE TROPHY RESULTS
645 – Southern Cape A 168 155 158 164
647 – Border 160 157 168 162
652 – KwaZulu-Natal B 158 160 167 167
660 – Eastern Province 158 171 164 167
666 – Gauteng C 162 171 163 170
675 – Southern Cape B 171 166 172 166
685 – Free State & Northern Cape 172 175 169 169
685 – North West B 167 171 174 173
695 – Limpopo 165 168 178 184
705 – Western Province C 177 180 170 178
706 – Boland B 184 174 173 175
707 – Ekurhuleni B 178 175 175 179
CUMULATIVE INDIVIDUAL RESULT – TOP 10
298 – Carrie Park (72, 75, 74, 77)
299 – Michaela Fletcher (72, 74, 77, 76)
302 – Lara Weinstein (75, 77, 74, 76)
304 – Tiffany Avern-Taplin (76, 75, 72, 81)
305 – Kelly Erasmus (75, 77, 75, 78), Olivia le Roux (75, 75, 71, 84)
306 – Cara Gorlei (73, 79, 77, 77)
307 – Monja Richards (80, 75, 76, 76)
308 – Catherine Lau (75, 79, 74, 80)
309 – Mae Cornforth (78, 73, 78, 80)
