South Africa Wins Espirito Santo Trophy In Tiebreaker; 1st Host Nation To Win Since 1980

Stellenbosch, South Africa (21 October) – South Africa withstood a surge by defending champion Sweden and won the 2006 Women’s World Amateur Team Championship on a tiebreaker, becoming the first victorious host nation since 1980.

"It is still amazing to me that we won,” South African captain Sandra Winter said of winning the nation’s Espirito Santo Trophy in 17 appearances. “I thought that after we had a slow start we might have a strong finish and we did.”

Playing at De Zalze Golf Club, Ashleigh Simon, 17, of Johannesburg, and Kelli Shean, 18, of Cape Town, each shot 2-over par 74 for their final day total of 148. Teammate Stacy Bregman, 19, of Standton, shot 75.

Sweden, made up a four-stroke deficit to South Africa, even taking the lead for a brief time. They tied the host nation at 10-under-par for a 72-hole total of 566.

South Africa's Lead Increases To 4 Strokes, Surging Sweden in Second Place

Stellenbosch, South Africa (20 October) – Stacy Bregman’s 3-under-par 69 helped South Africa increase its lead to four strokes over surging defending champion Sweden through three rounds at the Women’s World Amateur Team Championships.

"We knew it was going to be difficult on the third day,” said South African captain Sandra Winter. “We noticed the leader board a little but kept it to ourselves.”

Bregman, 19, of Sandton, received a putting tip from South African golf legend David Frost following the second round and it paid immediate dividends.

"I really put it together today when it mattered most,” Bregman said. “I putted well and I just let it fly.”

With an even-par 72 from Kelli Shean, 18, of Cape Town, South Africa posted a 418, the second-best 54-hole total in championship history.

"We are confident,” Shean said. “We know we can compete with the world.”

Host South Africa Holds 2nd-Round Lead Over Germany

Stellenbosch, South Africa (19 October) – Kelli Shean of Cape Town and Ashleigh Simon of Johannesburg each shot 3-under-par 69 to propel South Africa into the lead by three strokes over Germany through the second day of play at the 2006 Women’s World Amateur Team Championship.

The South Africans, who had trailed first-round leader Japan by two strokes, tied the championship mark for lowest score to lead the field through 36 holes at 277.

"We are where we wanted to be, but it is almost hard to believe,” captain Sandra Winter said. “Our goal for each round was 4-under and we have shot 5-under and 6-under to start. Now, we are thinking that the sky’s the limit.”

Japan Holds Two-Stroke Lead Over Sweden, South Africa, Chinese Taipei

Stellenbosch, South Africa (18 October) – Rikako Morita’s 7-under-par 65 sparked Japan to a two-stroke lead over defending champion Sweden, South Africa and Chinese Taipei after the first round of 2006 Women’s World Amateur Team Championships.

The 16-year-old broke the record for lowest individual first-round score in Espirito Santo history. At Stellenbosch Golf Club, the second-year high school student from Kyoto totaled an eagle, six birdies and a bogey in her round.  Teammate Mika Miyazato, 17, of Okinawa, added an even-par 72 for a team total of 137. Miyazato and the third Japanese player, Erina Hara, 18, were on the 2004 Women's World Amateur team that finished tied for fourth with Canada.

2006 Women's WATC Storylines

2006 Women's WATC Fact Sheet