Monique Smit on the Come-Back-Trail wins Gauteng Match Play Champs

Oubaai’s Monique Smit picked up her first tournament victory of 2011 when she defeated Rustenburg’s Bertine Strauss 4/3 in the final of the Gauteng Match Play Championship played at Randpark Golf Club this week.

On the way to the final, she scored a narrow win over Namibian Bonita Bredenhann at the 19th then avenged her defeat an the quarter finals of the SA Amateur by Kim Williams with as 2/1 victory over the SA Stroke Play Champion.

Her opponent in the semi-final was Henriëtte Frylinck who went two down at the 18th and Monique then lifted the trophy with her 4/3 victory over Bertine Strauss.

Bertine’s road to the final included a 4/3 win over Anezel Zylstra (Southern Cape), a 6/5 victory over Gauteng’s Lora Assad and a semi-final win over the current SA Match Play Champion, Iliska Verwey.

In the final, Bertine eagled the first hole to Monique’s birdie but with great golf, Monique carded 32 on the front nine and was 23 through six holes when match ended at the 15th.

Gauteng President Les Rule said that the event was played in stunning weather and the girls really enjoyed the course setup. “Monique said is the first tournament where she has used every club in her bag, so that was a very nice compliment. They all enjoyed the challenge.”

Posted in