The perfect connection
RUIMSIG – Ivana Samu triumphs at the North West Championship and sets her sights on her next championships.
Ivanna Samu’s composed strategy proved to be the winning formula as she stormed to a sensational wire-to-wire victory in the North West Championship at Mooinooi Golf Club.
The 17-year-old Ruimsig Country Club player scaled to the top of the leader board with an opening three-under-par 69. She produced a battled four over 76 to keep ahead of the field and fired another 69 to triumph by 11 shots with a winning total of two-under-par 214, on 28 February.
“I started really well on Saturday, although the course played a lot tougher and longer than it did in the practice round,” said Samu. She birdied the first hole, bogeyed the second and reeled in gains at three and four. A birdie at the ninth hole took her to the turn in three under and she reached five under with back-to-back at 13 and 14.
“I over-clubbed at the 16th and my chip caught the fringe and got stuck and I couldn’t save par,” said Samu. “I pushed my tee shot right into the trees at 18 and punched out, but it was quite dark. I couldn’t really see the hole and didn’t up-and-down to save par.”
She added to her disappointment with her two late bogeys, but overall, she was satisfied with her performance. She regained the number one spot in the Women’s Golf South Africa Senior Rankings with a runner-up finish in the Border Championship. Now she looks forward to the Pam Golding Properties WGWP Amateur Championship on 5 and 6 March.
“I’m really looking forward to the two weeks in Cape Town,” Samu said. “I didn’t defend my title in the Western Province Amateur last year and I’m looking forward to this year’s championship.
She will also compete in the Curro SA World Juniors International on 8 to 10 March.
Samu concluded that she only took up golf 13 years ago and she started competing in provincial events two years ago. “I’ve had so many close calls that I am astounded that I’ve finally managed to win one, especially at such a tough course. This is like Christmas come early.”
Details: Ruimsig Country Club, marketing@ruimsigcc.co.za or 011 958 1905.
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