LAURETTE MARITZ

LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR

South Africa

PLAYER BIO

Bio

Date of Birth: 13th January 1964
Place of Birth:   Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Nationality:    South Africa
Residence:    UK
Interests:    Squash,tennis,watching rugby, videoing/editing home videos.
Date turned Pro:    2nd June 1987
Exemption Status:    Career Money
Sponsor:    Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics

Personal

163cm with blonde hair and blue eyes. Attended 'United States International University' in San Diego, California for four years. Hobbies include squash, tennis, watching rugby, videoing and editing home videos. Initiated the 'Eyes for Zimbabwe charity' in 1997 with her Coach-cum-caddie, Reeve Nield. Lists Gary Player and Nancy Lopez as the people who most influenced her career. Graduated from United States International University in San Diego with BA in Physical Education

Career Highlights

Made a meteoric start on tour in 1988. Won Marbella Open on debut. Won EMS Masters in Portugal two weeks later. Rookie of the Year in 1988. Won South African Open three times. Won 1990 Laing Charity Classic - best year on Tour finishing 4th on Order of Merit. Laurette won the 'Telkom Women's Classic' in April 2005 in South Africa as well as the 2005 Final Order of Merit on the Nedbank Women's Golf Tour. Represented South Africa as the home nation with Ashleigh Simon in the 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 Women's World Cup of Golf. In 2009, played in 18 events with best finish a tie for 38th at the UNIQA Ladies Golf Open in Austria. Finished 115th on the Henderson Money List with season's earnings of €7,109.12. Will compete in the career money category in 2010.

Amateur

US Player of the Year 1987. Received all American Award 1983-87. Won fourteen tournaments whilst attending university, including: Nancy Lopez Invitational, University of Arizona Champion 1983, University of Georgia Championship 1987. Represented South Africa multiple times. Won the Zurich Championship 1985.

Tour Victories

(3) 1988 Marbella Open, EMS Masters at Quinta da Marinha
1990 Laing Charity Classic

Other Victories

(7) 1989 South African Open
1996 South African Open
1998 South African Masters
2003 Nedbank Women's Masters
2003 Pam Golding International
2005 Telkom Women's Classic on the Nedbank Women's Golf Tour in South Africa
2006 Telkom Women's Classic.