Connie wins final Provincial event at Witbank
Mpumalanga President Marthie Dampier reported that 70 Players, 30 of whom were in the nine and under A Division, competed in the Women’s Golf Mpumalanga Open and Closed Championship on 14 and 15 November 2009 at Witbank Golf Club.
Connie Chen won the event on a one over par 143 (70, 73) followed by Nicole Becker, three strokes back on 146 (73, 73).
Alana van Greuning claimed the Closed Championship on 153 (78, 75) and Izel Pieters won the best nett with an overall score of 142 nett. Connie Chen picked up the Best Junior trophy and Elsa Loubser was the best Senior.
The par 71 golf course was in a very good condition. It has narrow fairways, large trees in the line-of-play and a very difficult rough which affected most of the player’s scores. Course management was of the utmost importance in scoring well. Despite the weather bureau predicting rain on both days, the conditions were very hot and humid with a slight breeze.
Grouped with Bertine Strauss and Kim Williams in round one, Connie focussed and planned her game well, with several chip-ins. Bertine and Kim played good golf, but their putts stayed short of the lip and this affected their scores. Connie ended the first round on 70, Bertine carded 80 and Kim 75.
Lara Weinstein ended the first day’s play with a very good 72, while Nicole Becker, Henriette Frylinck and Lumien Orton ended on 73, after all were three under par during the round and then dropped shots.
The best round played was on Sunday when Johmari Logtenberg carded a two under par 69, her best round yet. Bertine Strauss played a better round on Sunday and ended on par 71.