Nicole Becker returns to form to pick to Eastern Cape Championship Trophy
Nicole Becker won the first provincial championship of the year when she scored 154 (76,78) in appalling weather at the Eastern Cape Championships played at Humewood on Monday 9 February. She was two shots clear of Ashleigh Holmes (79,77) and Bertine Strauss (81, 75) on 156. There was a three-way tie for 4th place when Hermine Greyling, Taryn Heynes and Tanica van As all scored 157.
The 10 – 18 Handicap Division was won by Border’s Louise van Niekerk on 175 (90, 85) and Jenny Ririe topped the 20 – 32 Handicap division on 95 (18 holes only).
In perfect Humewood weather, Nicole teed off in the first round of the match play suffering from flu, but she battled her way around, only to be beaten 1 up by Merition Sandys. Merition lost in the afternoon round to Tiffany Avern-Taplin who subsequantly defeated Kim Williams in the semi final. The other semi-final was won by Bertine Strauss with a 3/2 win over Henriette Frylinck. Bertine had earlier put out Tanica van As in the quarter final.
Thursday’s final will be a closely contested encounter between Southbroom’s Tiffany Avern-Taplin and Bertine Strauss from Rustenburg, and the match tees off at 08h15. In the B Division final, Charlotte Humm, playing on her home course, meets 16 year-old Katlego Mhlambi from Gauteng and now a member of the Ernie Els Foundation. The C Division final will be between Walmer’s Jenny Rerie and Sue Barton from Humewood.