South African number one Nobuhle Dlamini has her sights set on a rare national amateur double when she tees it up as the favourite in next week’s Sanlam South African Women’s Amateur Championship at Milnerton Golf Club.
After winning the Sanlam SA Women’s Amateur Stroke Play Championship by a commanding 12 strokes at Pretoria Country Club in April, Dlamini is focused on a career first of adding her name to the match play trophy as well.
“I think it could happen this year. It’s going to be tough, but I’m looking forward to it,” said Dlamini, who last won the Sanlam SA Women’s Amateur Championship in 2009 but was unable to take the stroke play title that year. She then lost in the match play final in 2011 and in the quarterfinals in 2012.
Dlamini heads into next week’s Championship as a prodigious winner this year already and also very comfortable in coastal conditions. She’s won twice on coastal courses this year.
“I’m feeling good about it. I’ve never played Milnerton before, but I’ve always done well at the coast. Some of my best scores have been on coastal courses.
“I’m feeling really confident and I believe in myself a lot more because my game as a whole has improved. But when it comes to match play, anybody can win on the day. So I’ll be looking out for everyone and taking every match seriously.”
South African number two Kim Williams is an obvious threat, while Nicole Garcia is emerging as a strong contender as well in what has so far been a breakout season for her. The Ekurhuleni golfer has won three times this year.
The Championship begins this Sunday with the qualifying tournament, followed by the match play from Monday to Wednesday.
Winning the double would be a fitting end to Dlamini’s amateur career, with the young star planning to attend the Ladies European Tour’s Qualifying School in Morocco in December.