Aussie ladies ready for World Amateur Teams
IN: News | Amateur Golf | World Amateur Team Championships (2006) | General | by Anthony Powter | 13 Oct 2006
The World Amateur Golf Team Championships in South Africa got under way this morning in South Africa with the arrival of teams upon The De Zalze Golf Club, Stellembosch. Players now have five days to get accustomed to the layout and prepare before the Championship proper commences next Wednesday for the Espirito Santo Trophy, the 21st occasion of the World Amateur Teams Championship.
The World Amateur Teams Championship is contested over four rounds of stroke play with the top two scores of the three person team counting. The four day total is the team's score for the championship.
Whilst still early days, the media focus has descended upon defending champions Sweden and the Americans. The 51 team entrants represents a record field which sees England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales competing individually for the first time since 1964 when the first Word Amateur Teams Championship was played.
Australia has claimed the World Amateur Championship title twice, most recently in 2002 in Kuala Lumpur when Katherine Hull, Vicky Uwland and Lindsey Wright won in a tie break over Thailand. It was the first time in Championship history that each team's third individual score for the final day was taken into consideration to determine the world champions.
For the Australians in 2002, it represented a hard fought week in searing heat to come from behind to ultimately hold the trophy that once held its place with the Tsar of Russia, Nicolas II.
2006 will see Emma Bennett, Frances Bondad and Kate Combes representing their country in an event that is considered one of the foremost events to play as an amateur.
Notable past players have included Annika Sorenstam (1990,1992), Se Ri Pak (1994), Karrie Webb (1994) and current USLPGA Tour Money leader, Lorena Ochoa (1998,2000). You then get to sense the importance attached to the Championship and where things can lead, most notably to a main professional tour either in Europe or the US.
Francis Bondad, our number one ranked amateur has claimed a wealth of Championship titles recently and is ready to showcase her talents to the international field. Bondad won the 2005 Hong Kong International Ladies Open, the 2005 Philippine Amateur and the NSW Strokeplay Championship only to finish runner up in the NSW Amateur.
This week at Stellenbosch Golf Club will provide the Los Angeles born 18-year-old, who holds both Australian and US citizenship, with an excellent opportunity to prove her talent on the international stage, something Bondad is keen to do.
"I am looking forward to a golf professional career, probably in America. There are still goals I want to achieve and if money permits I would love to play some events in the US as well as some of the main professional events scheduled in Australia early next year. It's a bit unsure for me at the moment but I am particularly looking forward to playing in the World Championship against the world's best amateurs and see where my game is."
Bondad, currently Australia's number one ranked amateur, has consistently played well this season locally in the interstate series and in major championships and is a player inform. Also joining Bondad in South Africa is Australia's number two ranked amateur, Kate Combes who is coming off international victories in the UK.
There must be something about international travel that motivates Combes to perform at her peak. The Victorian won The Pleasington Putter in Liverpool with a record 7 under par score as well as finished runners up finish in the Astor Salver at Berkshire Golf Club, both in Britain, not to mention a top 10 finish in The St Rules Trophy at St Andrews.
"I probably would not be going to South Africa without my results in the UK. The way the team was picked was on the last 20 live rounds and for me they were mostly from overseas where I played well in winning The Pleasington Putter as well as finishing well in the British Amateur were I was the 18th qualifier."
"They way I played in the UK obviously had a bit to do with my selection as I really came out with some good results from my second trip there. I plan to just focus on my own game despite it being a team event. That's the way I figure that I'll best contribute to the team result."
Emma Bennett is the third team member and brings a wealth of experience having been a National Squad member since 2002 as well as the holder of many amateur titles. Like Combes, Bennett enjoyed success recently in the UK, making the round of 16 in the British Amateur and locally recently paired with Combes in a winner combination to claim the Victorian State Foursomes title.
Talking with the players before they left for South Africa earlier this week, there was a sense of optimism about their chances at the World Championships, but at the same time they are well aware the competition will be difficult, especially from the traditionally strong American and European teams.
Sweden is the defending champion, having won the 2004 championship at Rio Mar Country Club in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. The USA, represented by Paula Creamer, Sarah Huarte and Jane Park, finished tied second in 2004.
The USA last won the event in 1998 and has held the Espirito Santo Trophy a record 13 times. Our players are sure to confront stiff opposition given the history attached to the Championship, but given the breadth and talent there's every chance the Australians will have a repeat performance to that which our team had in 2002; but this time hopefully not by way of a tie breaker.
Photo - Anthony Powter
