Teen wins Stroke Play Champs
AT AGE 16, Bryanston lass Kajal Mistry has already established herself as one of South Africa’s best amateur golfers.
Last week, the country’s top-ranked golfer won the Sanlam South African Women’s Amateur Stroke Play Championship.
The Randpark Golf Club member opened up a five-shot lead on the field in the second round and held her nerve over the closing stretch at the Wanderers Golf Club to seal the biggest achievement of her short career.
“To win a tournament like this is really something,” Mistry beamed. “It is a stepping stone for me. I know I am doing the right things and it will help me in the future.”
Mistry didn’t have it all her own way and had to work really hard on the back nine of the final round. She made a strong statement with a birdie-birdie start, but allowed playing partners Woo-ju Son and Symone Henriques back into the contest with four bogeys.
“That was the first time I really felt pressure in a tournament,” Mistry said. “It was tough enough to play against two of my closest friends, but then the putter just went cold on me. I was missing putts I would sink easily on any other day.”
Mistry composed herself and regained the consistency that had given her the lead over the first two days. She signed for a two-over 74 for a one-shot triumph on four under par 212. “That’s nerves for you,” she said.
“Winning the Sanlam SA Women’s Stroke Play Championship has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. The closer we got to 18, the more pressure I felt.”
The teenager, who was introduced to the game by her father, Nilesh, has been playing since the age of 4, but says she never imagined that her game would progress so swiftly.
“I couldn’t have done this without a lot of special people who support my career,” she said. “My coach, Darren Witter, and my family never allow me to give up on myself and always tell me to go for gold. Thank you to everyone who brought me to this moment and to this victory. This one is for all of us.”
Last Sunday, Women’s Golf South Africa named Mistry as their player of the year, adding another feather to the youngster’s cap.
She must now focus her attention on the World Junior Team Championships, which takes place in Japan next month.
Mistry is looking forward to representing South Africa, along with Henriques and Kayleigh Telfer.
“It is an incredible feeling to put on the Springbok blazer,” she said. “But there is plenty of work to do before we leave.”