SOUTH AFRICAN GIRLS TOP LEADER BOARD IN INDIA

Four South African juniors were treated to traditional warm Indian hospitality at the opening ceremony of the 4th Albatross International Junior Championship being held at Jaypee Greens Golf Resort, Greater Noida, Delhi. The South African girls team of Magda Kruger and Cara Gorlei and the Western Province boys team of Robert Bougas and Luca Filippi, arrived on Sunday and played the first round of the championship in perfect weather on Wednesday.

The A category girls (ages 15 – 17) teed off first, and Cara’s chip in for birdie on the first hole set the tone for her excellent round of 73 (37, 36) and she leads the A division girls on 1 over par. Fellow team mate, Magda Kruger is tied 2nd with Benyapa Niphatsophon from Thailand. Cara, who had a total of 23 putts for the round, said “Whilst I didn’t hit many greens in regulation, my chipping saved me”, hence the good putting stats. Magda, who drove accurately, felt that her course management could improve, and will focus on this tomorrow. She signed for a 75 (38, 37) which included 5 birdies. The South African girls team are currently 4 shots ahead of the Thailand girls team.

Both the Western Province boys are on their first international outing, and are conducting themselves with amazing confidence out of their usual South African comfort zone. Robert Bougas, competing in the Boys A category and playing off the back tees (7347 yards) played steadily, but an unplayable lie on the 6th hole plus a couple of other errors cost him a few shots and he had to settle for a 77 (38, 39). He is currently tied 6th, 5 shots off the leader, Tapendra Ghai from India. Young Luca Filippi played with amazing maturity and said he was determined to stick to his game plan. This Greg Norman designed championship course, tempts players to take chances, but often at a cost. The plan certainly worked for Luca, and the 13 year old from Milnerton Golf Club playing in the Boys B category off the Gold tees (6964 yards) was 2 under at the 11th. He followed an unfortunate double bogey on the 12th with a birdie on the 13th hole. The tough two finishing holes cost both the SA boys a shot a hole, and Luca finished with a 74 (36, 38) and is in 2nd position in his division, 1 shot off Piyush Sangwan from India.

Pictured above: Magda Kruger, Luca Filippi, Robert Bougas & Cara Gorlei presented with traditional garlands at opening ceremony

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