Lee-Anne keeps up her Pace at San Lameer
It is hoped that the tournament will return to the South Coast again next year.
LEE-ANNE Pace, San Lameer Country Club and Hibiscus Coast Municipality mayor Cynthia Mqwebu have all played a role in keeping women’s golf ‘alive’, especially in terms of the SA Women’s Open.
Lee-Anne returned from a busy international schedule to defend the title she won at the same venue last year. Unfortunately, without a main, or major, sponsor this year, the tournament was not co-sanctioned with the LET.
As a result there was a much smaller field, with very few international players making the trip. One positive was that, unlike in the past three years, it did not rain!
However, the wind blew with some menace, and scores ballooned.
Local hope Melissa Eaton (Port Shepstone) started with a horrid nine on the par five first. “The wind was blowing from the north-east, and you know it bounces hard to the left,“ she said, seeing the funny side, but only two days later!
She ended up further down the field than she would have liked and no doubt will have significantly better results in the future.
The only player to cause the champion any nervous moments was … the champ herself.
With a comfortable lead, she gave the watching amateurs a little putting clinic on the 12th green.
Unfortunately, it was one they could all relate to as she four-putted from the back edge.
The third putt was an ‘Ernie-like’ jab and she took care over the tap-ins for the rest of the round.
Last year, it was the 13th hole where she turned the tournament on its head with an eagle.
This year, despite being only about 170m out, and with a favourable wind, she opted, probably wisely, to lay up for her second shot.
Had she been trailing, there’s no doubt she would have had a crack at the green. But there was no need to take the risk and bring her nearest challengers closer.
It paid off, and despite a bogey on the 15th, she finished the round relatively untroubled.
A player to keep an eye on is amateur Lejan Lewthwaite, who hits the ball beautifully and often out-drove the others.
At prize-giving, Lee-Anne thanked the mayor for her support of women’s golf in South Africa.
If you are battling with your swing, a good idea would be to watch Lee-Anne swing the club.
It’s nothing short of poetry in motion. She hardly seems to be trying at all, yet the ball flies smoothly off her club – much like a bird released. All grace and poise.
There was a nice buzz on the final day, despite a relatively small crowd – it was a Tuesday after all.
A number of local women golfers aided with the marshalling and scoring, dressed in bright pink shirts.
In addition, caddies from nearby clubs, especially Southbroom, helped the regulars, and some had decent paydays.
Top 10
219 Lee-AnnePace 71 72 76
223 Lejan Lewthwaite (AMA) 78 73 72
224 Carrie Park S-KOR 78 74 72
225 Kim Williams 71 80 74
226 Monique Smit 77 77 72
229 Bonita Bredenhann NAM 82 76 71
230 Ivanna Samu (AMA) 81 78 71
232 Anna Scott GBR 75 80 77
233 Michelle Leigh 80 76 77
234 Alana van Greuning 80 79 75; Azelia Meichtry (AMA) SUI 79 75 80
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