KLOOF, KwaZulu-Natal (15 July 2015) – Gauteng North’s Carrie Park claimed her first Sanlam SA Women’s Amateur title in a thrilling final with Ivanna Samu at Kloof Country Club on Wednesday.

Park, who in 2014 won the Sanlam SA Women’s Amateur Stroke Play title but had never made it to the match play final before this, beat Samu with a birdie on the 23rd hole.

“I am thrilled. I never expected to beat Ivanna on a par five because she hits it so much further than me,” said Park.

Park made it into the final with a 5&4 victory over Mae Cornforth in the morning, while Samu went through with a 4&3 win over Kloof’s Brittney-Fay Berger.

It was an incredible final in which both golfers had chances to win.

Over the extra holes, Park played some sublime approach shots but couldn’t make the putts, while Samu kept herself in the match with some incredible recoveries and solid putting.

But on the par-five fifth hole, Samu had to play her third from behind a tree.

She managed to putt it onto the green, and missed her next putt. Park was standing over a 15-footer for birdie and holed the putt.

“Ivanna was playing so well and I just couldn’t make any putts. I couldn’t read lines and didn’t feel comfortable on the greens. But I knew it was a match whoever made a putt was going to win it. I just had to make that putt.

“This means so much to me. I just tried to stay calm out there and keep doing what I can do and not worry about her game.”

Park’s victory comes only a few days after her win in the Gauteng North match play.

“After winning the Gauteng North match play last week I didn’t think I had a chance this week. But I put a lot of hard work into this.”

RESULTS
Championship Division Final
Carrie Park (Gauteng North) beat Ivanna Samu (Gauteng) at the 23rd hole.
Championship Division 3 & 4 Playoff
Mae Cornforth (North West) beat Brittney-Fay Berger (KZN) 6 & 4

Plate Division Final
Michelle Swanepoel (North West) beat Cara Ford (Gauteng) 1-Up.
Plate Division 3 & 4 PlayoffJessica Shurety (KZN) beat Pippa Payne (KZN) 4 & 2.

PHOTO – Gauteng North’s Carrie Park​ defeated her GFG Academy​ stable-mate and defending champion Ivanna Samu​ to lift the Sanlam SA Women’s Amateur title at Kloof Country Club; credit Michael Vlismas.

Written by Michael Vlismas on behalf of Sanlam.