SA finishes fourth in Astor Trophy

Australia took their fifth victory in the prestigious Astor Trophy after a resounding victory against South Africa in the final round at The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide on Friday.

The five-woman team of Shelly Shin, Hannah Green, Becky Kay, Jenny Lee and Gennai Goodwin effectively clinch their victory after the side won both Foursomes matches against South Africa.

However, Aussies were made to work in the Singles to seal a 5 – 2 victory in the five-day, round robin contest.

Despite the early losses, the South African team kept up the pressure to win two matches and forced another right down the back straight.

Lora Assad from Randpark defeated Kay from the Gold Coast 2-up and 16-year-old Ivanna Samu from Ruimsig, the reigning Sanlam SA Women’s amateur, handed hometown favourite Lee a 3 & 2 hiding.

Pietermaritzburg’s Michaela Fletcher went down 4 & 2 to Perth’s Green, while Sydney’s Shin pounded Bertine Strauss 5 & 3.

Sixteen-year-old Eleonora Galletti battled valiantly against New Zealand to swing the match in South Africa’s favour on Wednesday.

The Royal Johannesburg & Kensington junior put up another great fight against Brisbane’s Goodwin to force the match to the closing holes, but eventually succumbed 2-down.

“Of course we are disappointed with the final result, however, we didn’t know what to expect this week from players we hardly know and we were apprehensive about our chances in the match play format,” said national coach Val Holland.

“All in all our players really performed exceptionally well. After the victories against New Zealand and Canada, the team was were really fired up to take the match to the Australians.

“We witnessed some fantastic golf from both teams, but Australia putted brilliantly and unfortunately we were we went into the Singles on the back-foot.

“Women’s Golf South Africa lost some top players to the professional circuit and Bertine was the only player from our 2007 team to return to duty. However, given the performances we witnessed this week, the depth of talent that we have coming through is really inspiring.”

New Zealand beat Canada 5-2 in the other match of the day to leapfrog South Africa for third place in the final standings.

Australia took first with four victories, while Great Britain & Ireland, New Zealand and the home nation all finished with two each.

The defending champions collected 15.5 points to edge out New Zealand with half a point, while South Africa finished fourth with 12 points.

ROUND FIVE RESULTS
Foursomes
Bertine Strauss & Ivanna Samu lost Jenny Lee & Shelly Shin 3 & 2
Michaela Fletcher & Eleonora Galletti lost Hannah Green & Becky Kay 3 & 1

Singles
Bertine Strauss lost Shelly Shin 5 & 3
Michaela Fletcher lost Hannah Green 4 & 2
Lora Assad beat Becky Kay 2 & 1
Ivanna Samu beat Jenny Lee 3 & 2
Eleonora Galletti lost Gennai Goodwin 2-down

FINAL STANDINGS
1 Australia (matches won – 4; games points 19)
2 Great Britain & Ireland (matches won – 2; games points 15.5)
3 New Zealand (matches won – 2; games points 15)
4 South Africa (matches won – 2; games points 12
5 Canada (matches won – 0; games points 8.5)

Visit the official Astor Trophy site at http://www.golf.org.au/eventdisplay/astor-trophy/5479

Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of Womens Golf South Africa.

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