Sandra Winter pips Gilly Tebbutt to win the Kingswood SA Mid-Amateur

Sandra Winter recorded a narrow win over Gilly Tebbutt at the 2011 Kingswood SA Women’s Mid-Amateur played at Kingswood Golf Estate this week. She is pictured here with C Division winner Christine Els and B Division winner Lenza de Jager.

Going into the final round of the 54-hole Kingswood Mid-Amateur Championship today, Sandra Winter, playing on her home course at Kingswood Golf Estate, was nine shots clear of former SA Champion Gilly Tebbutt.

However after two holes, Gilly had picked up two strokes and the pressure was on. By the time they reached the final hole, Gilly had levelled the scores and looked like lifting yet another trophy. However she dropped to Sandra’s birdie on the par three 17th, and the South Africa’s non-playing captain was delighted to win this second annual SA mid-amateur championship. Sandra Winter finished on 234 (78, 72, 74), two strokes ahead of Gilly Tebbutt on 236 (78, 81, 77).

112 Players travelled from as far afield as Hobart in Australia to compete in this popular event for women aged 35 and over who still wish to play competitive golf. The weather cleared at the start of the tournament and George’s CAW changed from ‘cold and wet’ to ‘cosy and warm’. Although a light drizzle greeted players as they arrived at the course this morning for their six-tee start on the final day, by 7.30 the famous Mast on the Outeniqua Mountains was in view and the players enjoyed a windless round in cloudy but warm conditions.

Sonja Bland finished in third place off her seven handicap on 242, followed by Kloof’s Kate Brett-Castle (246), Humewoods Lynne Slogrove (250) and Lynne Bahagg of Hermanus on 252.

The 10 to 18 handicap B Division was won by Lenza de Jager from Pretoria Country Club on 255 (84, 85, 86) ahead of former WGSA President Erica Lefson on 261 (88, 90, 83).

The stableford C Division was won by Krugersdorp Golf Club’s Christine Els with 110 points (32, 42, 36) with Jo-Anne Bloemetjie from Strand five points back on 105 (32, 38, 35).

The best rounds in each division came from Sandra Winter with 72 on her second round , Gilly Tebbutt on 77 in the final round and Sonja Bland 77 in round two. In the B Division, Erica Lefson in round three and Lize Els in in round two recorded 83 and Lenza de Jager and Litha Matthysen each signed for an 84.

The C Division – handicaps 19 to 24 also has some excellent scores. Christine Els had 42 points in round two and in the final round, Knysna’s Melanie Bray had 41 points.

While Women’s Golf South Africa ran the tournament, Kingswood Golf Estate with Val Holland at the helm pulled out all the stops and organised a fabulous event. Great sponsorship came from Protea Hotels, DKNY, Aquabella, Rheebokskloof, The Golfers Club, Ping, Swagg and Kenako Golf Academy.

Kingswood has once again offered their course for the event to be played in November 2012.

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