Traut targets repeat SA Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship glory

Vicki Traut from Erinvale Golf Club will line up in title defence in the 2020 SA Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship at Robertson Golf Club from 16-18 November; credit GolfRSA

October 2020 – Somerset West golfer Vicki Traut will be bidding for back-to-back titles when she leads a stellar field in the South African Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship in the Western Cape next month.

The flagship event will be contested at the magnificent Robertson Golf Club in the heart of the famous wine country from 16 to 18 November.

Having won the Ackerman Championship just ahead of last year’s SA Mid-Amateur Championship, Traut lived up to her pre-tournament billing. Unfortunately the official first round was rained out and the event had to be reduced to 36 holes, but the Erinvale golfer opened up a five-shot lead in the first round at Selborne Golf Estate, Hotel and Spa and went wire-to-wire to win by eight shots.

“I made my debut in the SA Women’s Mid-Amateur last year and I really had no expectations, so I surprised myself when I led the first round,” Traut said. “To win at the course where my golf career first started and to win on debut with my parents right there watching, was incredibly special.

“We have seen so many of our national events cancelled this year due to the ongoing lockdown and I am sure that all the other ladies are as excited as I am that the SA Women’s Mid-Amateur is going ahead.

“My family is backing me all the way, because they really want me to try to defend my title. My husband will take over the home schooling to free me up for the event, so I have thrown my name in the hat and I am looking forward to giving it another bash.”

Womens Golf South Africa President Sarah Braude said the 2020 edition of the national championship will be staged in accordance with strict safety protocols.

“In the safe re-opening of golf, we put in place a comprehensive Risk Mitigation Strategy. The championship will be played in compliance with all our GolfRSA Tournament Risk Mitigation protocols, the Robertson Golf Club Covid-19 Risk Mitigation Plan and the government’s health and safety regulations for Alert Level 1 to create the safest possible environment for our players,” Braude said.

“This championship continues to grow in popularity amongst our Mid-Amateur players and we are very pleased to see great support from former entrants and past winners of all the divisions. We are also excited to welcome a lot of new faces to Robertson Golf Club.

“The tournament will not only enhance the event’s growing reputation and help to inspire women and girls to take up the game, but we are delighted to highlight Robertson as a must-visit destination.”

The famous Robertson Wine Valley not only produces some of the most respected wines in South Africa, but the “small town with a big heart” has a myriad of attractions for the whole family, including wonderful bike, horse and hiking trails and stunning nature reserves.

“As our country slowly recovers from the impact of the lockdown, we are really excited to play our part in supporting the local industry,” Braude said.

The SA Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship caters for all golfers up to handicaps 24.3.

The tournament will be contested in three divisions – the Championship Division (handicap index 6.5 and under), B Division (handicap index 6.6 to 15.3) and the C Division (handicap index 15.4 to 24.3). The Senior Trophy for players 50 years and older, which is played concurrent with the SA Mid-Amateur Championship, will be contested in the same divisions.

The format for the Championship and B Division will be 54 holes Stroke Play, while the C Division will be a 54 holes Individual Stableford competition.

In accordance with the government restrictions, this year’s SA Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship will also be played without spectators. “Thanks to the GolfRSA social media platforms, we will be able to keep the fans informed and entertained throughout the championship,” Braude said.

Entries close at noon on 30 October. Golfers who still wish to enter can do so online at www.golfrsa.com (Go to Tournaments & Results under the WOMEN tab and click on the enter button – E – against the SA Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship).