Play-off decides North West Champion

Alana van Greuning won her first provincial championship in a play-off against Nicole Becker this week. She achieved this at the 36 hole North West Championship, played at Rustenburg golf club on Sunday 6 March.

Both players were tied on 144 and set off for a three-hole decider on holes 1, 17 and 18. They were still level after the three holes and a sudden death play-off commenced with Alana sinking a long putt to clinch the match on the third sudden death hole.

57 players participated in the championship on a lovely, almost windless, early autumn day on a course set up approximately 240 meters longer than normal. At the end of the first round, Nicole was one behind the first round leader Nobuhle Dlamini on one-under 71 but dropped a shot in the afternoon to sign for 73 and a total of 144. Alana carded 72, 72 to match this and force the playoff.

Lejan Lewthwaite finished third on 146 (75, 71), while former South African match play champion Nobuhle Dlamini from Swaziland tied in fourth place with Kim Williams on 148. After a great 70 in round one, Nobuhle carded a disappointing 78 in the afternoon. Kim was consistent on 74, 74. Nicole Becker is the NW Closed champion for 2011.

President Rina van Zijl reported that the condition of the course was excellent. The ground staff did a marvellous job to get it in this condition after the flood damage earlier in the year. There is still some structural damage to bridges etc. but this should soon be repaired and is not expected to influence the quality of play at the Sanlam Women’s Amateur Golf Championship scheduled for April 2011.