Nobuhle on a winning streak
With the ground softened from overnight rain, the Royal Durban course was in immaculate condition for the start of the KZN Championship. Six players carded level par 72 rounds on a day that started out sunny and windless. These included Nobuhle Dlamini, Michaela Fletcher, Monja Richards, Bianca Theron and Izel Pieters, as well as somewhat unknown Crystal Cooper who surprised the top seeds. As the course dried out it was obvious that the afternoon conditions suited the more experienced players with 5 players producing sub-par rounds. Amy Henning (WP) came in with a score of 68 and Lara Weinstein (Gauteng) 69. But with 4 birdies on the first four holes in the afternoon round, Nobuhle showed her determination to win. She proved why she is the top ranked player in South Africa when she signed for a 6-under par 66, winning the trophy on a total of 138, five shots clear of Monja Richards. Bianca Theron tied in third position with Amy Henning on 145.
In the Silver Division Shelley Sykes from Mount Edgecombe Country Club took the Hulett Trophy on 162, five shots ahead of Sarah Tyschen, a junior who plays out of Victoria Country Club.
138 – Nobuhle Dlamini (Centurion) 72, 66
143 – Monja Richards (Nelspruit) 72, 71
145 – Bianca Theron (Durbanvale) 72, 73
145 – Amy Henning (Milnerton) 77, 68
146 – Elzanne Kent (Bloemfontein) 73, 73
146 – Tiffany Avern-Taplin (Mount Edgecombe) 75, 71
146 – Michaela Fletcher (Maritzberg) 72, 74
146 – Lara Weinstein (Royal Johannesburg & Kensington) 77, 69
Pictured above: Nobuhle receiving the trophy from Royal Durban Captain, Kevin Dunkley