Gauteng North take early control in Mossel Bay

Gauteng North got their title defence in this year’s 72-Hole Teams Championship underway by edging ahead of the field in the opening round at Mossel Bay Golf Club.

Hunting their fifth consecutive Swiss Trophy title in the prestigious team event, Carrie Park, Magda Kruger and Eugenie Clack got off to a solid start to set the target at two-over-par 146.

South African number one Park fired an even-par 72, number two ranked Kruger carded a 74 while Clack contributed a non-counting 78.

However, the leaders are bound to come under pressure from Western Province A and KwaZulu-Natal A, who are lurking just two shots off the pace.

Cara Gorlei came home in 71 strokes, while Kelly Erasmus added a 75 to put Western Province A in a challenging position.

Michaela Fletcher, already a three-time champion this season, set the tone for KwaZulu-Natal with an opening 72 and Tiffany Avern-Taplin helped the side into a share of second with a 76.

Gauteng A finished four shots off the pace on six over 150, while Boland and Gauteng North B are tied for fifth on 153.

Eastern Province and KwaZulu-Natal B share the first round honours in the Challenge Trophy after both teams finished on 14-over-par 158.

Imkeleen Meyer and Jamie-Lee Daniels both carded 79s for Eastern Province, while Brittney-Day Berger and Courtenay James combined for KwaZulu-Natal B with rounds of 78 and 80 respectively.

The leaders are two shots clear of Border and have a four stroke lead on Gauteng C.

SWISS TROPHY SCORES – ROUND 1
146 – Gauteng North A
148 – Western Province A; KwaZulu-Natal A
150 – Gauteng A
153 – Boland A; Gauteng North B
158 – Gauteng North C
159 – Gauteng B
161 – Mpumalanga
163 – North West A; Western Province B
168 – Ekurhuleni A

CHALLENGE TROPHY SCORES – ROUND 1
158 – Eastern Province; KwaZulu-Natal B
160 – Border
162 – Gauteng C
167 – North West B
168 – Limpopo; Southern Cape A
171 – Southern Cape B
172 – Free State & Northern Cape
177 – Western Province C
178 – Ekurhuleni B
184 – Boland B

INDIVIDUAL LEADERBOARD – TOP 10
70 Carrie Park (GN), Michaela Fletcher (KZN), Danielle du Toit (GN)
73 Cara Gorlei (WP)
74 Magda Kruger (GN)
75 Kelly Erasmus (WP), Olivia le Roux (BOL), Catherine Lau (GN), Lara Weinstein (GAU), Kaleigh Telfer (GAU)

Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of Womens Golf South Africa.