Free State’s Orton wins at Ebotse

Free State golfer Lumien Orton won the Sanlam South African Women’s Amateur Championship at Ebotse Links on Wednesday, July 13.

The match play championships were held at the Benoni course from Sunday, July 10.

The 29-year-old Orton beat the Western Cape’s Cara Gorlei two-up in the final.

Earlier she beat Symone Henriques two and one to make the final.

Orton had to claw her way back from being four-down through eight holes, and she did so with some magnificent putting on the back nine.

It was two strong birdies at holes 14 and 15 that helped her complete her comeback to all square.

She then went one-up with a par on 16 as Gorlei missed a short putt to halve.

They halved 17 and Orton birdied 18 to take the title.

“This was my fourth time in the match play final, so I’m delighted to have won,” she said.

“When I was four-down I didn’t think I could win.

“I told myself I’ve got nothing to lose and maybe she will make some mistakes and I make a few birdies, and that’s what happened.

“My putting also improved on the back nine.”

Orton was one of South Africa’s top young golfers and then turned professional before deciding to take a break from the game.

She regained her amateur status but stopped playing golf in 2014 and took up running instead, completing two Comrades Marathons and Two Oceans Marathons.

“This win means so much.

“The time I took off the game did me good. I’ve played golf from a young age and I’d lost my hunger a bit, but it is back now.”

Final results are:

• Championship Division Final:

Lumien Orton beat Cara Gorlei two-up.

Semi-finals:

Lumien Orton beat Symone Henriques two and one; Cara Gorlei beat Danielle du Toit one-up

Third place play-off:

Danielle du Toit beat Symone Henriques three and two.

• Plate Division Final:

Jamie-Lee Daniels beat Zayb Fredericks one-up.

Semi-finals:

Jamie-Lee Daniels beat Sonja Bland three and two; Zayb Fredericks beat Aaliyah Abrahams one-up.

Third place play-off:

Aaliyah Abrahams beat Sonja Bland via walkover.

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