SA duo sign off with solid performances in Kent
South Africa’s Dylan Naidoo tied for 14th in the 2015 Duke of York Young Champions Trophy, while compatriot Ivanna Samu claimed a runner-up finish in the Girls Competition and finished ninth overall in the prestigious international junior championship at Prince’s Golf Club in England on Friday.
Sixteen-year-old Samu got off to a hot start with three successive birdies and turned one under after dropping shots at the par-four fourth and short eighth.
The reigning Nomads SA Girls champion traded a birdie at 10 for a bogey at 11, but suffered a setback with a triple bogey at the par-four 14th.
“Ivanna rallied with a birdie at the 18th for an even-par 72 to finish on one over 217 with Kristoffer Reitan from Norway,” said Womens Golf South Africa president Karen Olivant.
“She played really solid golf over the three rounds and the triple at 14 was very unfortunate.
“Ivanna lost her first ball in the hazard, played another, then found the first ball and had to drop out of the hazard. She ended up making a great up-and-down for seven.
“But for that triple, she was on course to win the Leading Girl honour. The Runner-Up position was still a great achievement and I believe the skills and the experience she gained from playing in this event will count for a lot in her future.”
Naidoo dropped two shots at the fourth and bogeyed the par-four fifth, but he stemmed the bleeding with birdies at six and nine to turn one over.
The 19-year-old reigning Nomads SA Boys U-19 Stroke Play champion bogeyed 10, but countered with a birdie at 14 and parred his way to the final hole.
He closed with a 73 to join England’s Will Enefer, Zan Stirn from Slovakia and Line Toft Hansen from Denmark at seven over 223.
“Dylan had a much better day than the two previous rounds, but still struggled with the short stick,” Olivant said.
“It was really tough to watch and it was very frustrating for him. He missed so many putts by a fraction and he played much better than his scores suggest.
“Both players have revelled in this experience and the chance to learn more about Links golf. They also reconnected with a lot of players who also competed in the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup in Japan in June and forged new friendships.
“This event also gave them a chance to access where they rank in such a world class field and they not only did themselves proud, but were wonderful ambassadors for South Africa.”
Oliver Lindell from Finland beat overnight leader Felix Palson from Sweden in the title race to claim a one stroke victory on nine-under-par 207.
Lindell was well off the pace after an opening 72, but shot into contention after taking the low round honours with a 68 on day two.
The reigning Finnish Under-18 national champion reeled in five birdies and an eagle to offset a lone bogey at 18 in the final round and roared to victory with a six under 66.
Palson returned a 68 to finish in second, a stroke ahead of Chile’s Joaquin Neimann.
Carlotta Ricolfi from Italy denied Samu by one stroke to take the Leading Girl honours for a second year running. The Italian junior carded rounds of 67, 75 and 74 to tie for seventh on even-par 216.
Link for scoring – http://dukeofyork.intelligentgolf.co.uk/competition.php?compid=3116
Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of the South African Golf Association and Womens Golf South Africa.