No stopping Nobuhle!
Whilst Nobuhle Dlamini had it easy in in the first round of the 2013 KZN Matchplay Championship, Chevonne Botha of Ebotse made her work for her victory (1 up) on Monday afternoon in the second round. She then met Gauteng’s Michelle Leigh in the semi-finals, but Michelle found herself playing against an on-form Nobuhle who prevailed on the 14th to win 6/4.
In the bottom section of the draw, both of the senior players, Monja Richards (Nelspruit) and Nicole Garcia overcame their junior opponents Brittney-Fay Berger and Woo-Ju Son, but a determined Nicole had the upper hand in the afternoon round and ended Monja’s run (3/2). Tiffany Avern-Taplin (Mount Edgecombe) met up-and-coming Crystal Cooper on her way to the semi-final and managed a 1 up win. The semi-final between Nicole and Tiffany ended Tiffany’s hope of getting into a final on home turf with Nicole winning the match 6/5.
The wind began to blow and according to both Nobuhle and Nicole it played a large part in the afternoon’s game. Nicole threw down the gauntlet with a birdie on the first hole, but Nobuhle countered with a birdie on the 4th only for Nicole to birdie the 5th and go one up again. They turned all square and then see-sawed their way to the 16th with Nicole one up. Nobuhle realizing she needed to pull something out of the hat sank a long putt from off the green to go to the par 5 18th all square. This proved to be the final hole of an exciting match play championship, with Nobuhle showing her putting prowess by sinking another long putt to win the match and take her second double of the year.
Pictured above: Nobuhle Dlamini