ZIMBABWEAN junior golf star Danielle Bekker celebrated the biggest win of her young golfing career after clinching the prestigious US Kids Golf European Championship at Royal Musselburgh Golf Club in Scotland on Thursday.
BY DANIEL NHAKANISO
The 15-year-old former Junior Sportswoman of the Year carded scores of 71, 76 and 71 for a 54-hole total of two-over-par 218 to clinch the coveted title in the Girls Under-19 division of the competition.
Bekker finished six shots clear of Daisy Kennedy from England, who had a total of eight-over-par 224 while Puerto Rico’s Andrea Sofia Balaguer settled for third position on 14-over par.
The young Zimbabwean’s exploits in the individual strokeplay competition earned her selection for The European Van Horn Cup, a Ryder Cup style competition pitting players from Europe and International players.
Bekker’s Internationals team emerged victorious in the team competition to cap off a memorable tour for the Chapman Golf Club rising star, who was also selected to represent Zimbabwe at the R & A Junior British Open to be played at Eden Course, St Andrews, from July 14 to 16.
However, before her return to Europe, Bekker is expected to team up with other local female junior golfers Margaret Nyamukondiwa and Rumbi Chisango for the South African Under-18 Provincial Championship to be played at Orkney Golf Club in South Africa from June 24 to 26.
The junior girls team, whose tour to South Africa is being sponsored by the trio of Colleen Morgan, Ilonka Bekker and Elsie Mahlangu, will be managed by veteran Zimbabwe national ladies team player and Royal Harare Golf Club lady captain Aulia Alfazema.
