SA juniors make Girl’s British Amateur Match Play

South Africa’s Africa Kaleigh Telfer and Ivanna Samu both cleared the finishing line in the Girl’s British Amateur Championship Qualifier to reach the Match Play stage, which tees off at West Kilbride Golf Club in Scotland on Wednesday.

Telfer from Bryanston reeled in six birdies against a lone drop for an impressive five-under-par 68 to tie for fourth on five under 141 with Dane Cecilie Bofill and Sarah Nilsson from Sweden, whose 67 was the low round of the day.

Reigning Sanlam SA Women’s Amateur Stroke Play champion Samu carded a 75 to join the bus in 30th on one over 147.

“The Girl’s British Amateur Championship annually draws the top junior girls around the world and we were really pleased that the LGU awarded Ivanna and Kaleigh spots in the field, which was oversubscribed with a field size of 144 players,” said Womens Golf South Africa President Karen Olivant.

“This is the first time in five years that two South African juniors have reached the Match Play stage and we are incredibly proud of their achievement.”

Lara Weinstein was knocked out in round one and Connie Chen eliminated in the second round at Royal Belfast Golf Club in 2010.

Chen also reached the second round at West Lancashire Golf Club in 2009, while Bertine Strauss lost in the first round.

“The girls took full advantage of the opportunity afforded them,” said Olivant. “They held up really well under incredibly tough tournament conditions in the first round to give themselves a fight chance and played great golf in the second round.

“Only the top 64 players in this highly talented field advance to the Match Play, so that alone is a magnificent achievement.”

Telfer lost her putter at the 12th hole in the first round and had to use her driver on the greens to post an opening 73.

“I borrowed a putter from the pro-shop for the second round and it took a little getting used to,” said Tefer, who finished six strokes behind medallist Frida Kinhult from Sweden.

“The putter has a super stroke grip, which was very weird to start with. I struggled to find pace with the fat grip, but I was striking the ball really well and all my birdie putts were between six and nine feet.

“After the pouring rain and strong wind in the first round, Ivanna and I were pleased to start in overcast but mild weather on Tuesday. We had set ourselves the goal of reaching the Match Play and we are both incredibly stoked to have made it.”
Telfer, seeded fifth for the match play, will line up against 60th seed Cloe Frankish from Charthills Golf Club in England in the first round.

Fellow Gauteng golfer Samu was seeded 36th and will face off against 29th seed Bethan Morris from Wales.

To follow live scoring from the Girl’s British Amateur Championship, click HERE

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

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