SA juniors relish Australian experience

Top ranked juniors Ivanna Samu and Eleonora Galletti represented South Africa in the prestigious Astor Trophy and the Australian Women’s Amateur in January.

It was the first time reigning Sanlam SA Women’s Amateur champion Samu and Galletti, a bronze medalist at the 2014 Africa Youth Games, represented South Africa on the international stage.

The pair held their own in the team completion and, although they both failed to qualify for the Match Play section in the Australian Women’s Amateur, both players relished the opportunity to test themselves outside Africa’s borders and gained valuable experience during the trip.

WGSA asked the girls to share some of their thoughts on their selection, their expectations, the experience and their favourite moments.

WGSA: How did you feel when you were selected for the Astor Team?
IS – I could barely speak through the tears of joy when I called my parents after the announcement at the SA Inter-Provincial. Being selected to represent South-Africa was a dream come true for me. It made everything I work for every day worth it.
EG – I felt amazed, because a few days before I heard about my selection I told my mom that I would really like to go to Australia. My wish came true and I was very excited. Knowing that I was going to play against some of the top amateurs in the world raised my excitement even higher.

WGSA: How did you prepare for the trip?
IS – I practice every day, so I didn’t have to change my routine, but I did work with a fitness instructor at the gym and added extra hours to work on flexibility, stamina, endurance, cardio and strength. Graeme Francis, my coach, worked with me on the mental aspects and made sure that my swing was solid prior to the tournament. I also worked hard by hitting 200 balls to a 100m target every day in addition to my normal practice routine.
During our training camp with National Coach Val Holland in December, we worked intensely on the short game and it added the necessary confidence in my game I needed. My golf clubs were the first thing in the car when we went on holiday and I played a round every day at windy Langebaan Country Club.
EG – I prepared for the trip like I would for any important tournament and I put in a lot of practice over the December holidays.

WGSA: What were your expectations?
IS – It was my first international start, so I didn’t really know what to expect. I set high expectations for myself and I think that is one of the reasons Bertine (Strauss) and I won our games against New Zealand and Canada. I was disappointed after the losses in the first round, and determined to prove my worth to myself and the team.
I expected to feel very nervous under the pressure, but with Val’s help and guidance at the driving range and on course management, the experience was quite the opposite.
EG – I wanted to work well with the rest of the team members and return to South Africa as the Astor Trophy champions.

WGSA: You were instrumental in many of the points that SA got in the Astor. Were you disappointed that SA did not do better or do you think the result was a fair reflection of the competition?
IS – I don’t think the result was a true reflection of the competition, as our players are better than the results reflected. When we played against great Brittan and Ireland on the second day, it absolutely poured. We are not used to playing in such conditions and I think it was in their favour. Our performances against Canada and New Zealand was a truer reflection of our
players.
EG – I was proud of myself for assisting my team, but I did feel disappointed that we did not do better. As a team, I felt we pulled together really well and that is what counts. I felt that we deserved to finish second, especially after our victories against New Zealand and Canada, but unfortunately we messed up on the final day.

WGSA: What was your most favorite moment in the Astor Trophy?
IS – My favourite moment was during Singles against Australia when I played the home town favourite, Jenny Lee. I duffed two fairway bunker shots on a par-four and when I finally got to 15m from the green, my team mate Lora (Assad) called it and I chipped in for par. Jenny missed her par putt and I won the hole and the game.
EG – It was absolutely amazing to play against a variety of golfers who have different golf approaches towards their game. I really enjoyed the moment after I was 2-down to New Zealand in the Singles and I managed to pull through with grit and focus to win 1-up! I enjoyed feeling good pressure and I felt really important to play at two of Australia’s top courses. I was proud of myself for having maintained a good attitude, even when I was stressed and I felt happy throughout the two weeks, because I was proud to be part of the SA team.

WGSA: What were your most favorite moments off the course?
IS – I enjoyed every minute with the team and formed friendship that I am sure that is going to last a life time. It was really special to share the highs and lows with a heartfelt hug every day with some of my family and friends that travelled to Australia to support the team.
EG – My most favourite moments of the trip was meeting of great golfers from different countries and spending time away from the course with my playing partners and sightseeing in new country, but my biggest highlight was meeting and greeting the kangaroos!

WGSA: What advice would you give young golfers hoping to follow in your shoes?
IS – Never lose sight of your dreams. Believe in yourself and be prepared to work hard and make the necessary sacrifices in order to achieve your goals. Take it one step at a time and keep it in mind that every time you have to decide whether to practice, or not, that what you put in is what you will get out in the end.
EG – Never give up on your goals no matter how hard it gets; there will always be a path or a way that you can overcome the difficulties.

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