Sweden win Espirito Santo for the first time

BY Bruce Young | Amateur Golf Tour | 2004 World Amateur Team Championships | Wrap | 24 Oct 2004

Sweden, headed by their brilliant Karin Sjodin, today won the Espirito Santo Trophy at the Rio Mar Resort in Puerto Rico by three shots over the United States and Canada, with Japan, Korea and Chinese Taipei sharing fourth. It was the first time that the Swedes had won the title, their previous best a second placing to the USA in 1988.

Sjodin also shared the individual title with Paraguay’s Julieta Granada. The merit of Granada’s performance is further highlighted by the fact that her team mates finished 80th and 107th in the individual showings.

An improved effort by the Australians over the final two days lifted the team from 22nd after 36 holes to eventually finish in 16th place, but from an overall perspective their showing was disappointing.

Playing the more demanding Ocean Course in the final round, Katy Jarocowicz contributed her score to the team count for the first time this week when her 74 was the best of the three Australians. Sarah Jane Kenyon and Sarah Kemp both recorded rounds of 75 for a team total of 149 on the final day, Australia finishing the event a massive 21 over.

Kemp was the best of the Australians finishing in 27th place in the individual, Kenyon 35th and Jarokowicz 83rd.

The New Zealand team, headed by their late recruit and US collegiate player, Claire Dury, did very well to finish in 9th place, with Dury finishing 19th in the individual. Penny Newbrook was 40th, and Sarah Nicholson 44th.

The Eisenhower Trophy will be played at the same venue starting on Thursday, October 28th.