Bertine back to top form to win by 8 strokes in Free State Champs
North West’s Bertine Strauss carded a five-under 68 in the final round of the 54 hole Free State Championships, eight under par and eight strokes ahead of Kim Williams and Nicole Garcia who tied in second place. Alana van Greuning was fourth and 13-year old Kuils River Junior Bianca Theron was tied fifth with Nicole Becker and win the Junior Championship.
The event was played in perfect weather at Sand River Golf Club in Virginia– a late venue after the Oppenheimer Park course had suffered storm damage in early April. The 73-par Sand River course had also experienced heavy rain and was quite wet, but the greens were good andall the players enjoyed a great tournament.
Bertine finished on eight under par 211 (71, 72, 68) while Kim Williams and Nicole Garcia could only manage level par 219. Kim carded 73, 72, 74 while Nicole, after a 77 in the first round, improved by nine shots in the afternoon to score a great five under 68. She too carded 74 in the final round to tie in second place with Kim.
Bertine, with four birdies, dropped her only shot at the 13th but came back with eagle at 14 to secure a great victory.
The next provincial championship is the 36 hole Gauteng Stroke Play Championships at Rand Park Golf Club on Monday 9 May, followed by two days of Match Play.
The Free State and Northern Cape Golf Union held their AGM during the championship where retiring President Carina Theron handed over her duties to incoming President Michelle Holt.