Monday 17/2/2020, 96 senior golfers competed in the SA Order of merit at Blackwood Golf Club in the Adelaide Hills.

The number in the field was a testament to both the strength of senior golf in SA, the ongoing quality of the event and the efforts of the club organisers to promote their event both internally and externally and their efforts were rewarded with perfect 29 degree sunshine, no wind and an immaculately presented course.

The large number of players in this event means excellent prizes and an extensive ball run-down so almost everyone goes home happy !

The Senior winner was Nigel Turner, repeating his performance from last year – Nigel’s home club is Links Lady Bay but he is also a long term Blackwood member so obviously feels right at home. Next were two Kooyonga members –newcomer Richard Payne beating Bruce Lindner on a count-back. Local Glen McGough and Steve Ross (South Lakes) came in 4th and 5th. With John Davey and Norm Cordina not playing at this stage, the SA Senior Order of Merit looks wide open for a number of players including defending 2019 winner, Trevor Smith.

Making his debut as a Super Senior, the well-credentialed Chris Everett (Tea Tree Gully) opened his account but only on a count-back from Geoff Ashby making the water-bag trip from Eudunda. Last year’s SOOM winner in Super Seniors, Michael Richards (Tea Tree Gully) came in 3rd followed by Wayne Humphries (Glenelg) and Eric Lane (Grange) – all proven and consistent performers.

Senior Nett went to Mike Greening, Blackwood with an excellent 70 followed by other locals in John Hood and Andrew Fraser. (Nigel Turner and Richard Payne were prominent but their gross results took precedence).

Super Seniors Nett went to Andrew Long (Mt Osmond) (a superb 69) making a sound start to season 2020 and showing that not all Nett winners come from the host club, from John Short (Blackwood) and the two event organisers, Chris Claxton and Keith Parry-Jones – clearly the event went so well there was no stress to affect their performance ! Senior Gross Nigel Turner, Links Lady Bay, 74 Richard Payne, Kooyonga, 76 c/b Bruce Lindner, Kooyonga, 76 Glen McGough, Blackwood, 77c/b Steve Ross, South Lakes, 77

Super Seniors Gross Chris Everett, Tea Tree Gully, 79c/b Geoff Ashby, Eudunda, 79 Michael Richards, Tea Tree Gully, 80 Wayne Humphries, Glenelg, 81 Eric Lane, Grange, 82

Seniors Nett Mike Greening, Blackwood, 70 Nigel Turner, Links Lady Bay, 71 John Hood, Blackwood, 72 Richard Payne, Kooyonga, 72 Andrew Fraser, Blackwood, 74 Shane Virgo, Oakbank, 74 Glen McGough, Blackwood, 74 Steve Ross , South Lakes, 74 Bruce Lindner, Kooyonga, 74

Super Seniors Nett Andrew Long, Mt Osmond, 69 Tony Saunders, Blackwood, 71 John Short, Blackwood, 73 Chris Claxton, Blackwood, 74 Keith Parry-Jones, Blackwood, 74