Seventh heaven for SA golf team in Eswatini

Zethu Myeki, Sarah Bouch and Larissa du Preez dovetailed brilliantly over 54 holes to capture South Africa’s seventh successive Regional All-Africa Challenge Trophy victory with a wire-to-wire performance in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland).

On a tough scoring day, Zethu was three over par after the first five holes and made a bogey start to the back nine, but she rallied with a birdie at the par three 11th and picked up another shot at the par five 14th. Two more bogeys at 15 and 17 saw her clock in with a four-over-par 75.

“I wasn’t great off the tee today, and dropped shots at one, three and five,” said the Randpark golfer. “It was not an easy day, but I kept grinding and I’m happy with the score I achieved. I am so proud to share this moment with Sarah for a second time and with Larissa. We are over the moon.”

Sarah, who celebrated South Africa’s sixth victory with Zethu in Lesotho two years ago, was just as thrilled to help South Africa to victory.

The Benoni Country Club golfer had a lone bogey at the par three seventh, but started the back nine with a double at 10 and a bogey at 11. She stemmed the bleeding with birdies at 13 and 14, but gave back the gains with a double at the par three 17th for a round of 75.

“I drove the ball really nicely, putted extremely well, but it was a very hot and windy day, which made club selection quite difficult,” Sarah said. “Unfortunately the doubles cost me, but overall, I’m really happy with my game … onwards and upwards from here.”

New cap Larissa helped to boost South Africa into a favourable position with earlier rounds of 71 and 73. The Silver Lakes golfer returned a non-counting 79 in the final round.

“I didn’t hit many fairways and that made the approach shots all the more difficult,” said the Ernie Els and Fancourt Foundation member. “I am grateful to GolfRSA and Womens’ Golf South Africa (WGSA) for the opportunity to represent South Africa with Sarah and Zethu. This has been a fantastic experience.”