‘Spice Girls’ cause an upset
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There was an element of shock when unfancied KZN took the laurels.
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WHEN she isn’t out writing stories for the Mid South Coast Mail (the Herald’s sister paper), Tiffany Avern-Taplin is winning golf tournaments.
She was one of a trio of KwaZulu-Natal players, nicknamed the Spice Girls, who teamed up to cause a major upset in women’s golf in the country last week.
Along with Michaela Fletcher (Maritzburg GC) and Lizzie Currie (Port Shepstone), they won the Swiss Trophy at the annual SA teams’ championship at Mossel Bay last week. KZN hasn’t won this trophy for 12 years. “It was just huge for us,” said Tiffany.
“The last KZN team to win comprised Lee-Anne Pace, Melissa Eaton and Sandra Winter.”
“It was good to have a new name at the top of the leaderboard after seeing Gauteng North there for the past four years,” she said.
There were some anxious moments, with the team getting off to a shaky start in the final round.
Then, coming down the final hole, Tiffany nearly went out of bounds, landing a metre from the stakes among some aloes.
She wasn’t granted relief, despite one rules official feeling she may have been entitled to it, but managed to play out safely anyway and secure an epic victory.
Tiffany praised her teammates. “Michaela is having such a great year. She holds herself to such high standards and this year has proved that she is a force to be reckoned with. I believe she is one of the hardest working golfers in the country at the moment,” she said.
Lizzie has only recently emerged on the scene. “It was her first 72 hole tournament and she is starting to reap the rewards of her dedication,” said Tiffany.
What made the win even sweeter was that Port Shepstone’s Karen Olivant has recently taken over as the Women’s Golf South Africa president.
“We dedicated the win to her, she must be the lucky charm as when she was at the helm of KZN golf, we won three titles. Let’s hope the trend continues,” said Tiffany.
For a part-timer, Tiffany showed she still has what it takes, finishing fourth in the individual standings against the regular full-time amateurs.
Michaela will be leaving for the States in August, leaving Tiffany and Lizzie to knuckle down and focus on the SA IPT at Royal Cape later this year.
On a personal note, Tiffany hasn’t completely ruled out playing the game professionally one day. “It’s definitely in the pipeline to go to Q School for the European Tour at least once, time to win the lotto, I suppose,” she said.
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Wonderful week for Wondra
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THE women’s Connie Day betterball at Margate Country Club last Tuesday was won by Wondra Bothma and Evelyn Burls on 46 points.
In second place were Connie McArthur and Shannon Gottlieb on 45 points.
The Wednesday Wobblers was won by Dave Parsons, Keith Duncalf and Carl Zurflus on 100 points, followed by Rob Brien, Hans Dallinger and Basie Geldenhuys on 97 points.
In third spot were Ken Norval, Nico van Vuuren and Tuckre Tanere on 94 points.
The Arthur Tomlinson floater went to Konnie Konrad, Tony Comte and Cyril Greensmith on 78 points.
Thursday’s pro shop comp saw Flip Fourie clean up on 45 points, three ahead of Norman Bridger and David Jenkinson. Wayne Minnaar was fourth on 38 points.
Nearest the pin on the 16th, sponsored by Hibiscus Retirement Villages, was Mike Bond.
Richard Plaskitt took the honours last Saturday, carding 41 points to pip Johan Erasmus by one. Dave Morrison and Mike Lee had 37 points.
In the women’s section, Wondra Bothma won on 44 points, followed by Joan Minnaar on 42 points and Margaret Taylor on 39 points.
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Johann and Denis team up
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THE combined Stableford at Port Shepstone Country Club last Wednesday was won by Johann van Niekerk and Denis Schmidt on +10, followed by Bevis Fairbrother and Pete Stoppel on +9.
Saturday’s comp saw Peppy and Bobby Govender, Doc Bux and Abel Yeeranna win on 113 points, two ahead of Ronnie Mtshaka, Sipho Nxumalo, Koko Zithumane and Mot Moleele.
In third spot were Dave Mee, Debi Stewart, Pete Stoppel and Basil King on 99 points, counting out Phil Myburgh, Ernst Meier, Ewald and Juliana Ziervogel.
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Tee for two at San Lameer
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SAN Lameer Country Club held its annual Tee for Two tournament recently and it proved to be a resounding success, with more than 80 players taking part.
The competition is a mixed event and played over three days. After the golf, there was a black-and-white themed prize-giving which everyone enjoyed.
Overall results:
1 Corné Kruger and Linda Lochner 133 points; 2 Wynand and Anthonet du Plessis 130 points; 3 Will and Renate Ferreira 129 points; 4 Harry Rossouw and Nicky Hawkins 128 points.
Plate: 1 Lukas and Susan Potgieter 125 points; 2 Hans and Riana Karemaker 124 points; 3 Pieter and Hettie Oberholzer 122 points.
Lucky draw winner – Pieter Oberholzer.
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Something fishy at Southbroom
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THE popular Tuna Angling Day was held at Southbroom Golf Club last Sunday.
It’s a day where the emphasis is on having fun and many come out for their regular ‘hack’.
There were more than 100 players, creating a wonderful vibe.
Winners were Yzelle Greyling, Debi Stewart, Chris Stewart and Tony Fairbairn on 110 points.
In second were Billy Lorenzo, Bruce Cunningham, John Caple and Richard Mills on 108 points.
Third place was snapped up by Neil Thomas, Donovan Currie, Gareth Olivant and ‘ghost’ Debi Stewart.
Prizes paid out all the way to 26th.
Best juniors were Keagan Lorenzo, Josh Koen, Brenton Wood and Jordan Nel.
The putting prize went to Vincent van Aswegen, Lance Grobler, Glen Poole and Ian Stewart.
The Ann’s Scramble last Wednesday was won on 48 points by Joy Crutchfield, Janet Barclay and Bessie Germs, while the men’s comp was won by Mike Jacquet and Hugh Purtell on a countout from two other pairs.
Saturday’s comp was won by Mari Fielden, Sandy Fitzgerald, Trudy Rush and Rene Matthew on 87 points, while the men’s comp was dominated by Colin McKay, Les Civin, Norman Farrell and Barry Barnett on 91.
