Dlamini eyes double in Sanlam SA Woman’s Stroke Play Champs
Nobuhle Dlamini appears to be lining up a second successive Sanlam South African Women’s Amateur Stroke Play title. And yet there is a sense that her victory bid could still contain a few surprises in Tuesday’s final round at Pretoria Country Club. She is two clear of the overnight leader, Eleonora Galletti who is tied with Gina Switala, and they could prove to be a thorn in her side. Dlamini is no stranger to the pressure and plays some of her best golf under these circumstances. Yet her 73 on Monday was still dogged by an inability to come to grips with Pretoria Country Club’s greens.
Gina earned provincial and national colours in golf before deciding to pursue her studies in physiotherapy, taking her away from competitive golf for the past three years. The fact that she is so familiar with this course certainly counts in her favour. “I enjoyed my competitive golf, but I knew it wasn’t something I would be happy doing for the rest of my life. It’s a tough life and you’ve got to be a special kind of person to handle it. I’m enjoying just playing for fun.”
And Eleonora, the 15-year-old who led the first round with her 73, is refusing to go away. Her 78 was still good enough to keep her in contention.
Kim Williams, ranked second in South Africa, heads into the final round 5 off the pace and should not be written off. Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation graduate member, Sylvia Masango, may not be in contention, but she will always remember this Championship for her hole-in-one on the 5th hole at Pretoria Country Club on Monday – the first of her career. Local youngster from Ekurhuleni, Kim de Klerk is leading the B Division.
149 – Nobuhle Dlamini (76, 73)
151 – Gina Switala (77, 74), Eleonora Galletti (73, 78)
154 – Kim Williams (75, 79)
155 – Michelle Swanepoel (76, 79)
156 – Kayleigh Telfer (80, 76), Talia Nel (80, 76), Nicole Hannah (77, 79)
157 – Chevonne Botha (80, 77), Lara Weinstein (75, 82), Crystal Cooper (74, 83)
158 – Carrie Park (79, 79)
159 – Izel Pieters (83, 76), Monja Richards (80, 79), Danielle du Toit (80, 79)
160 – Emma Du Bruyn (81, 79), Michelle Leigh (81, 79)
161 – Bianca Theron (82, 79), Cara Gorlei (81, 80), Sylvia Masango (81, 80)