Telfer scores runaway victory in Mpumalanga
Bryanston golfer Kaleigh Telfer won the Mpumalanga Championship after two brilliant shots propelled the teenager to a runaway victory at Middelburg Golf Club on Sunday.
The 15-year-old Gauteng player shared the first round lead with SA number two Kim Williams after both players posted an opening even-par 72. However, the reigning Sanlam SA Women’s Amateur champion finished a distant second after Kelfer romped home with an eagle-birdie-par finish for a four-under-par 68 to seal her first provincial title with a six shot victory on four under 140.
Williams, always gracious in defeat, was very impressed by her opponent.
“I was so impressed by Kaleigh’s demeanour and composure throughout the round,” said Williams. “She is a great little golfer and a great fighter. Even my father, who always supports me to the final hole, was so impressed that he told me after Kaleigh’s eagle at the 16th, that I “couldn’t compete with that.”
“I think she is going to impress a lot of people in the next few years.”
The young champion was understandably ecstatic with the result.
“I knew, after seeing the course in the practice round, that it would require a low round to win this tournament, but I never expected it to be me,” she said. “I had five birdies and five bogeys in the first round and felt that I left a couple of birdies out there. I never expected to win by such a big margin, though, and I’m just thrilled to have my first provincial title under the belt.”
Defending champion and local favourite Monja Richards claimed the Closed Champion title with a 153 gross total.
Megan Dickson beat Chante Boonstra by four shots to clinch the Silver Division (handicaps 10-18) on 171, while Trienie van den Berg clinched the Bronze Division (handicaps 19-24) on a winning total of 182.
Although Telfer and Williams dominated the final round proceedings, a couple of top juniors also impressed.
Ackerman Championship winner Carrie Park from Irene Country Club finished two shots behind Williams in third, 15-year-old Ivanna Samu from Roodepoort Golf Club claimed fourth with rounds of 74 and 77 and current number two, Magda Kruger from Centurion Country Club, shared fifth with Richards.
The juniors will have another shot at glory at the season-ending KZN Junior Championship, which will be played at Selborne Country Club from 29 November to 1 December.