SA pair sign off in Sweden
South Africa’s Ivanna Samu tied for 21 in the Annika Invitational Europe, fellow Gauteng golfer Kaleigh Telfer finished joint 37th and 2014 runner-up, Ana Pelaez of Spain, claimed a three stroke victory as action wrapped up at Bro-Bålsta GolfKlubb on Thursday.
Pelaez from Malaga, a member of the Spanish Team that won the European Girls’ Team Championships in July, closed with a one under 72 to triumph on nine-under-par 210.
Samu overcame an early double bogey and matched the leader’s final round 72 to finish on two-over-par 221, while Telfer ended on seven over after a second successive 76.
Samu dropped two shots at the second hole, but reversed the damage with a hat-trick of birdies at eight, nine and 10. The reigning Sanlam SA Women’s Amateur Stroke Play champion wiped out two more bogeys with gains at 13 and 15.
“Ivanna pushed her drive left into the trees and hit her second into the long rough just short of the green,” said Womens Golf South Africa president Karen Olivant.
“She hit her third over the back of the green, chipped on and two-putted for a double bogey, but she recovered immediately and rallied five pars.
“She nearly holed out for eagle at the eighth and it was quite an exciting hole to watch, because her playing partner also nearly made an eagle. Ivanna’s ball stopped two inches short of the hole and hers teetered on the edge of the cup. They both tapped in for birdie.
“Ivanna was quite thrilled to make birdie at 15 with former world number one Annika Sorenstam watching the action.”
Telfer’s round included three birdies, four bogeys and a double bogey at the par-three seventh.
“Kaleigh had a day of mixed fortune, but she managed to finish three over after making a hallelujah birdie at 17,” Olivant said
“The short par-five has a very elevated green. Her approach pitched on the green, but rolled off and then the ball rolled off again at her second attempt.
“So she putted from off the green and holed out for birdie.”
Olivant believes the week as been highly beneficial for both players.
“Ivanna and Kaleigh got to meet, talk and do workshops with Annika, whose achievements inspire awe into all young golfers and has really motivated them,” Olivant said.
“They made a lot of new friends and got to test themselves against top international competition and they have gained in confidence. The experience will stand them in good stead in the Girls’ British Open Amateur Championship next week.”
The South African trio will travel to West Kilbride in Scotland, where the prestigious official world golf ranking event tees off from 11-15 August
Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of Womens Golf South Africa.