SELBORNE, 14 November 2019 – Vicki Traut from Western Province went wire-to-wire at Selborne Golf Estate, Hotel and Spa on Wednesday to celebrate a very memorable maiden victory in the South African Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship.

PHOTO 1 – Vicki Traut from Western Province won her first SA Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship with an eight-shot victory in the 2019 at Selborne Golf Estate, Hotel and Spa; credit GolfRSA.

PHOTO – 2019 South African Women’s Mid-Amateur divisional champions celebrate their success at Selborne Golf Estate, Hotel and Spa; credit GolfRSA.

(L-t-R): C-Division winner Janine Meyburgh from Cathedral Peak Golf Club, Senior Division winner Sonja Bland from Fancourt, B-Division winner Kerry-Ann Murgatroyd from Centurion Country Club and the 2019 champion golfer Vicki Traut from Erinvale Golf Club.

Traut won by eight shots on six-over 150 after carding rounds of 72 and 78 in the weather-reduced 36-hole tournament.

“To come out to the course where my golf career first started and to win the championship on debut is incredibly special. And to have my parents here to see me win, was the cherry on top,” said Traut.

“My dad got me started when I was about 10, but I wasn’t really interested in golf then. He was the one who convinced me to join them in a competition at Strand Golf Club when I was 22. I really enjoyed myself and agreed to go on a mini-golf tour with him, my mom and my brother.

“Our first stop was Selborne and it was here that the bug really bit me. My mom inspired me to start playing golf seriously, and now here I am, holding the trophy. This is very, very special.”

In-form Traut beat some of the country’s brightest talents to lift the 37th Ackerman Championship title in October and headed to KwaZulu-Natal as one of the tournament favourites alongside former champions Sandra Winter, Sonja Bland and Vanessa Smith.

She lived up to her billing when she opened up a five-shot lead in the opening round.

“It rained really hard when we arrived in Selborne and we were all hugely disappointed when they were forced to cancel the first round. The first round teed off with clear skies but a three-club wind. It was tough, but I managed to roll in a few birdie putts for a level par 72,” said Traut.

“Knowing that they like to tuck the pins on the final day, my strategy was to try and keep it in play; I just tried to hit fairways and greens and two-putts for pars,” she said.

“The set up was definitely more difficult and we all found the going tough, but I did manage to hit some really good shots to keep the round ticking over. I had a couple of bogeys on both loops, and I finished with a double, which was disappointing, but I pencil at least one birdie on my card.

“This was the first year that I competed in the SA Women’s Mid-Amateur and I want to encourage all mid-amateur golfers to enter. It is a terrific event. The camaraderie and spirit among the players is extraordinary and with three divisions, there is no reason not to compete. I am so grateful that my husband and children encouraged me to enter. I will definitely be back to defend my title next year.”

Gauteng North golfer Gina da Silva (80-78) finished second on 14-over and 2013 champion Bland from Southern Cape was a further stroke back in third. The Fancourt golfer also lifted the LGU Quaich Senior Trophy for a second time with rounds of 77 and 82.

Kerry-Ann Murgatroyd was absolutely floored by her unexpected success in the B-Division.

“I was six shots behind the leaders after shooting 90 in the first round and I teed off in the third group on the final day, so I was not expecting to win,” said Murgatroyd after her four-shot triumph on 173.

“I turned four-over after a solid front nine, but the back nine was up-and down. I made three pars to finish with an 83 and I think it was the finish that did it.

“The conditions were pretty tough and I never expected to win, so I am thrilled. Thank you to Womens Golf South Africa for hosting a fantastic event. I love the mid-amateur tournament and for everyone who have not played this championship, you should really join us next year,” said the Centurion Country Club golfer.

Wendy Fouche from Mount Edgecombe (93 84) and Lindsay Owen from Country Club Johannesburg (85 92) tied for second on 177.

Janine Meyburgh was the third first-time winner with a one-point victory in the C-Division.

The Cathedral Peak golfer posted 30 in the first round of the Modified Stableford competition and carded 32 in the final round to edge out early leader Cecelia Verster from Port Shepstone.

“I was extremely nervous starting the final round, but I had a really nice front nine. The back nine was up-and-down, but I am so proud to have won. This was such a great experience and I can’t wait to do it all over again.”

Verster (29 32) had to settle for second, and finished three points ahead of fellow Port Shepstone golfer Jenny Hulley (28 30) in third.

A-Division Result (top 10)

150 Vicki Traut 72 78

158 Gina Da Silva 80 78

159 Sonja Bland 77 82

162 Tania Lyon 82 80; Heather Kruger 80 82; Vanessa Smith 80 82

163 Lynne Behagg 81 82; Sandra Winter 81 82

164 Jane Mackenzie 81 83

174 Karin Watts 84 90

B-Division Results (top 10)

173 Kerry-Ann Murgatroyd 90 83

177 Wendy Fouche 93 84; Lindsay Owen 85 92

180 Wendy Frost 84 96

181 Wendy Carruthers 92 89; Phindo Mohlala 84 97

183 Thelma Dippenaar 92 91

184 Linda Aitken 95 89

185 Simone Raymond 91 94

186 Joan Solms 96 90; Linda Jordaan 91 95; Jacquelyn Porrill 89 97

C-Division Results (top 10)

62 Janine Meyburgh 30 32

61 Cecelia Verster 29 32

58 Jenny Hulley 28 30

56 Yolanda Van Heerden 28 28; Rita Teka 32 24

54 Noogs Spall 27 27; Rosa-Linda Wessels 28 26

53 Susan Wright 26 27; Nicolette Dunbar 26 27

52 Pamela Sanders 28 24; Leigh Beckerling 29 23

Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of GolfRSA.