Alana is Border’s Match Play Champion

Mpumalanga’s Alana van Greuning won the Border Match Play Championship on Tuesday this week when she defeated Ekurhuleni’s Chevonne Botha 5/4 in the 18 hole final. The event was played at the picturesque East London Golf Club. Alana received her trophy from Border President Louise van Niekerk.

Of the 28 players competing in the Championship Division, 17 were juniors, most of whom had to return to school on Monday leaving only 10 to compete for the match play championship.

After a first round bye, Alana recorded an excellent 8/7 win over young Demi Flanagan and then defeated another junior, Jamie-Lee Daniels 2/1 to reach the final.

Chevonne enjoyed a good tussle with veteran Millie Zim to win at the 20th and then reached the final with a 3/2 victory over Monja Richards from Mpumalanga. Monja has recently regained her amateur status and is welcomed back to competing in provincial tournaments.

In the final, Alana and Chevonne were all square through seven holes until Alana birdied the 8th and 9th. Her birdie putts lipped out on both the 10th and 11th holes and with another birdie at 12 the match was all but sealed and ended at the 14th.

The two juniors, (download photo below) 12 year-old Jamie-Lee Daniels and 15-year-old Demi Flanagan demonstrated the talent that is evident in SA junior golf at the moment. Jamie defeated Talia Nel at the 19th in her semi-final match and in the first round, Demi managed a victory over the experienced senior, Sonja Bland at the 20th.

In the B Division, Shirley Pollock defeated Shelagh Toich 5/4 and in the C Division, Sharon Hatting had a 3/2 victory over Marie Miles. These were all East London players.

The next event on the WGSA provincial calendar is the North West Championships to be played at Pothefstroom Golf Club. Entry forms are on this website.

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