There was high anticipation at this year’s WP Women’s Amateur Championship, which featured 72 players across three divisions competing for six trophies. This year’s Championship was held at Rondebosch Golf Club, where 6 of the top 10 amateurs on the GolfRSA rankings participated.

The Championship & Silver Divisions competed in 36 holes of stroke play on day one. The wind posed a threat from the first tee shot, making conditions challenging. Charlotte Millard (Killarney Country Club) held the lead after Round 1 with a level-par 72. The trio of Kaitlyn van de Vyver (Royal Cape), Allesia Goussard (Pearl Valley) and Kesha Louw (Mount Edgecombe) trailed Millard in the Championship Division by two strokes.

There was nothing short of a dramatic turn of events during round 2 as the leaderboard kept changing throughout the afternoon. The early charge of Odette Booysen (Royal Cape) catapulted her into the lead as she was 1 under par going into the turn. She held on to the lead and secured the Edith Bowie Trophy with a two-shot victory over Isabella Ferreira (George).

In the Silver Division, Alli-Ann van Schalkwyk (Somerset West) led Ludy Hwang (Rondebosch) by six shots heading into Round 2. In an incredible display of golf, van Schalkwyk was able to extend her lead, and she emerged the winner after claiming the Executive Trophy by an astounding 16 shots.

The weather conditions improved as the wind diminished overnight, which provided the Bronze Division players with the opportunity to put up decent scores on day 2. The Bronze Division players played 18 holes of stroke play in the morning in order to determine who would advance to match play in the afternoon. Early on, there was a constant tug-of-war at the top of the leaderboard. The top spot was being contested by Susan Oosthuizen (Strand), Rosa-Lind Wessels (Durbanville) and two Milnerton players, Ntsoti Morojele and Lorette Hegie, but after the scores were submitted, Susan took home the Wilkinson Trophy with a 5 shot victory over Ntsoti.

Lorette won the first match 1 up against Rosa-Linda, while the second match between Ntsoti and Renette Rheeder (Kuils River) was decided on the 19th hole. Renette defeated Ntsoti 1 up.

The Championship and Silver Divisions played their first round of match play early on Day 2. Twenty-four players competed in the knockout stage. There were four players who advanced to the semi-finals from the Championship Division: Isabella Ferreira, Kesha Louw, Odette Booysen and Nicola Schoeman.

Allesia Goussard, Vicki Traut, Stephanie Kiefer (Germany) and Beverley Button (Metropolitan) advanced to the afternoon session of the Flight Championship.

The winner of the Executive Trophy, Alli-Ann, advanced to the semi-finals of the Silver Division along with Ludy Hwang (Rondebosch), Kaitlyn Rix (Durbanville) and Wilmarie Greyling (Vredendal).

With the sun rising over the Atlantic Ocean and the early birds catching the worms, Day 3 saw an intense battle between the last 16 players across three divisions for the last three trophies. Kesha Louw and Nicola Schoeman square off in the Championship Cup. Kesha established her intentions from the outset, posting three birdies on the first nine holes to put her 6 up against her opponent. The match was decided on the 14th hole, and Kesha went on to win the Championship Cup 6 & 4.

The Flight Championship was fiercely contested between Vicki Traut and Stephanie Kiefer. Vicki started off her round with four birdies on her first nine holes to go 3 up at the halfway mark. Vicki walked away with the Flight Championship title despite Stephanie’s heroic efforts, winning 2 & 1.

The Silver Division Match Play was awaited with great anticipation as all eyes turned to Alli-Ann to see if she could win both Stroke Play and Match Play Trophies. It was a thrilling final against Kaitlyn Rix. There was only one hole that would decide the outcome of the match as Alli-Ann won the 18th hole and secured a one-up victory.

Renette Rheeder and Lorette Hegie would compete in the Bronze Division match for the Standley Cup. Early in the match, Lorette put the pedal to the metal, going 5 up with nine to play. Renette persevered and got back to 2 down, but Lorette had total control and secured the match after a well-deserved win of 4 & 2.

Our sincere appreciation goes out to the following sponsors:

City Sports Council

Cobra/Puma Golf

The Pro Shop

Barnards Barnyard

Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages