Michaela increases her lead in frosty conditions

KZN’s Michaela Fletcher increased her lead to six strokes going into the final round of the 54-Hole Nomads SA Girls’ Championships. She and second placed Carrie Park carded two-over 74s in the second round played today at Orkney Golf Club in the North West Province.

WGSA President Cynthia Rayner is pictured here teeing the players off on a frosty fairway.

After the benign weather on the first day of the championship, the players awoke to stunning views of a white golf course with mist rising over the Vaal River flowing alongside the 10th tee.

The 19 and over handicapped golfers teed off at 7.15 am on snow white fairways in a temperature of -1,5 degrees. But as the sun rose, the course was a truly beautiful sight and cameras were clicking as the chaperones recorded this special event.

Scores from the top players were generally not great, but Michaela’s was the exception. She had an up and down round composed of three birdies and five drops to finish two over. She increased her lead to six strokes on a one-under par 143, from Carrie Park on 149 (75, 74). Se Young Chun was another stroke back on 150 and these three players will lead the field as the event goes into the final round tomorrow.

The 10 to 18 Handicap Division is headed by another KZN player, Brittney-Fay Berger on 168 (86, 82), followed by local North West junior Jhanelle Strydom and WP’s Stephanie Fernandez on 171.

In the Stableford C Division (Handicaps 19- 24), 10-year old Cara Ford scored 40 points to lead the division by four points from Kaiyuree Moodley on 36. Both these young players are from Gauteng.

Local NW junior Roxane Schmidt heads the D Division (Handicaps 25 -30) on 38 points and WP’s Sarah Osborn is in second position on 38.

The final day of this very special junior championship will be played tomorrow, Tuesday and some of the 135 players and chaperones head home in the evening after prize-giving while those who fly back to their coastal provinces leave on Wednesday morning.

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