Junior Olivia le Roux claims Free State title after a play-off

Boland’s Olivia le Roux, pictured here with Free State President Michelle Holt, won the 54-hole Free State and Northern Cape Championships in a sudden-death play-off against Gauteng’s Talia Nel at Bloemfontain Golf Club yesterday, Sunday 22 April.

Free State President Michelle Holt reports, “Olivia started off badly in the first round with an 80, but then followed it up with two great rounds of 70 (-2) and 68 (-4) to tie with Talia who returned rounds of 74, 72 and 72 for a total of 218.

“After sixteen holes in the final round Olivia was (-6) but unfortunately made a double drop at 17 to sign for four under 68 and tie the championship on 218.

“The sudden death play-off started on hole 16, a 106 metre par three. Both players were on the green and Talia missed her birdie putt. Olivia then holed her eight metre putt to become the 2012 Free State & Northern Cape Ladies Open Champion.

“She is also the Junior Champion (seems like the Boland juniors like the Free State as Bianca Theron won last year).

“We had 54 entries of which 32 were in the gold division (0-9 handicap). We had a great Championship and thank all the players who travelled great distances to participate.”

Nicole Garcia and Bonita Bredenhann finished three strokes back from the leaders on 221 while Gauteng North Junior Magda Krüger and Francesca Cuturi (Gauteng) carded 225.

Free State Junior Elzanne Kent won the Closed Championship and Carina Theron the nett event.

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