SA meets NZ in first round of Astor Trophy tomorrow, Wednesday 15 June
After the second official practice round, the Opening Ceremony for the Astor Trophy takes place today at Fairhaven Golf Club, Lytham St Annes in Lancashire at 17h45.
The tournament gets under way tomorrow, Wednesday 15 June and the South African team of Iliska Verwey, Bertine Strauss, Kim Williams, Henriëtte Frylinck, Tiffany Avern Taplin and non-playing captain Sandra Winter will compete against teams from Great Britain and Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Formerly the 5 Nations Commonwealth Tournament, the event is now known as the Astor Trophy. The Astor Trophy was presented in 1959 by Nancy, Viscountess Astor CH and the Ladies Golf Union for competition, once every four years, between these teams.
The event was last played in South Africa at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club in 2007. Both Iliska Verwey and Bertine Strauss were part of that team, together with Ashleigh Simon, Kelli Shean and Stacy Bregman.
The team match consists of two foursomes and five singles, each played over 18 holes – foursomes in the morning teeing off at 08h00 and singles in the afternoon from 12h30.
Coach Val Holland reports, “Well, day two and our first official practice round. We woke up to howling wind and rain. We had a good gym workout enjoyed a nice breakfast and off to the course we went. We were pleasantly surprised as we could see blue sky starting to appear as the rain lifted. Our day turned out to be one very special UK Summers Day, we were able to take off at least two layers of clothing. The practice went well, course is very nice, tough bunkers and hard greens. The wind is going to play a huge role each day. The team are in high spirits and ready to start. We have another practice tomorrow followed by the opening ceremony and then it’s is all systems go.”
The daily draw is as follows:
Wednesday 15th June
South Africa V New Zealand
Australia V GB & I
Rested Canada
Thursday 16th June
GB & I V South Africa
Canada V New Zealand
Rested Australia
Friday 17th June
New Zealand V Australia
Canada V South Africa
Rested GB & I
Saturday 18th June
Australia V Canada
New Zealand V GB & I
Rested South Africa
Sunday 19th June
GB & I V Canada
South Africa V Australia
Rested New Zealand