East London star golfing talent Demi Flanagan created her own bit of history when she emerged victorious in her first international outing at the Bank Windhoek Namibia Amateur Ladies Strokeplay Championship over the weekend.
The Border player fired an opening three-under-par 69 to take a three-stroke lead at the breathtaking Omeya Golf Estate in Windhoek and led by three strokes from local favourite Caro Els.
Flanagan closed with a 71 in Sunday’s final round to triumph on four-under 140, finishing three clear of Els, who signed off with a 71.
“Demi said that she went into the final round quietly confident as she knows how to defend a lead,” said her father Danver Flanagan.
“Her plan was to stay focused and play her usual game and it came off.”
“We are so very proud of her,” continued Danver.
South Africa’s Cara Gorlei was slightly disappointed after a first round 74, but the Western Province number one rallied for third on even-par after a solid two-under 70 in the final round.
“We are all extremely proud of Demi’s victory in her international debut,” said Women’s Golf South Africa president Karen Olivant.
“She took a three-shot lead into the final round and dealt with the pressure really well to maintain her lead to win by three strokes.”
This tournament is Flanagan’s first representing her country and comes after some top performances over the past year led to her being selected for the SA team.
“We are extremely proud of Demi. She has worked jolly hard and is now reaping the rewards,” said Border Women’s Golf president Issy Cocks.
“She has been up at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria putting in a lot of hours and work and it is now showing.
“Some of our Border ladies have been in tremendous golfing form over the past year and with them being relatively young we are excited about the future of our women golf on the Border.”
Flanagan is now playing for the SA team in the Regional All-Africa Challenge Trophy at the same venue.
The team heads into their second day of action today.
The South African trio of Flanagan, Western Province’s Cara Gorlei, who came third in the weekend event, and Shawnelle de Lange from Gauteng, will aim to chase down South Africa’s fifth successive title in the prestigious event against the likes of Namibia, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Botswana.
“Demi is going all out to help her team win the competition for SA now and she is very confident,” said Danver.
Els from Rossmund, Omeya’s Thea Groenewald and Nadia Schmidt and Celonika Robinson from Windhoek Golf & Country Club will represent the host country in the team event.
The format is 54-hole strokeplay, with two scores to count towards the team score.
Flanagan pulls off coup
East London star golfing talent Demi Flanagan created her own bit of history when she emerged victorious in her first international outing at the Bank Windhoek Namibia Amateur Ladies Strokeplay Championship over the weekend.
The Border player fired an opening three-under-par 69 to take a three-stroke lead at the breathtaking Omeya Golf Estate in Windhoek and led by three strokes from local favourite Caro Els.
Flanagan closed with a 71 in Sunday’s final round to triumph on four-under 140, finishing three clear of Els, who signed off with a 71.
“Demi said that she went into the final round quietly confident as she knows how to defend a lead,” said her father Danver Flanagan.
“Her plan was to stay focused and play her usual game and it came off.”
“We are so very proud of her,” continued Danver.
South Africa’s Cara Gorlei was slightly disappointed after a first round 74, but the Western Province number one rallied for third on even-par after a solid two-under 70 in the final round.
“We are all extremely proud of Demi’s victory in her international debut,” said Women’s Golf South Africa president Karen Olivant.
“She took a three-shot lead into the final round and dealt with the pressure really well to maintain her lead to win by three strokes.”
This tournament is Flanagan’s first representing her country and comes after some top performances over the past year led to her being selected for the SA team.
“We are extremely proud of Demi. She has worked jolly hard and is now reaping the rewards,” said Border Women’s Golf president Issy Cocks.
“She has been up at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria putting in a lot of hours and work and it is now showing.
“Some of our Border ladies have been in tremendous golfing form over the past year and with them being relatively young we are excited about the future of our women golf on the Border.”
Flanagan is now playing for the SA team in the Regional All-Africa Challenge Trophy at the same venue.
The team heads into their second day of action today.
The South African trio of Flanagan, Western Province’s Cara Gorlei, who came third in the weekend event, and Shawnelle de Lange from Gauteng, will aim to chase down South Africa’s fifth successive title in the prestigious event against the likes of Namibia, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Botswana.
“Demi is going all out to help her team win the competition for SA now and she is very confident,” said Danver.
Els from Rossmund, Omeya’s Thea Groenewald and Nadia Schmidt and Celonika Robinson from Windhoek Golf & Country Club will represent the host country in the team event.
The format is 54-hole strokeplay, with two scores to count towards the team score.
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