Written by John Anderson

SA Men’s Senior Order of Merit What a fantastic season for the Steve Ross (South Lakes) in being a clear winner in both the Senior Men’s Gross and the combined Senior/Super Senior Nett Orders of Merit. Steve isn’t the longest hitter out there but he is highly skilled and very consistent as evidenced by leading after the first 4 rounds and backing up when the big points were available in the championship.

Former State and Simpson Cup player, Glen McGough (Blackwood) was second in the Senior’s Gross from Bruce Lindner.

Yet another superb effort from Mike Richards (Tea Tree Gully)who has won his Super Senior Gross category in the last three years. Mike has had had a great career in club (Kooyonga & Tea Tree Gully), Simpson Cup pennant and State golf and has continued to add to his many awards in senior golf – truly an inspiration. Geoff Ashby (Eudunda Golf Club – which is a small country club a long way from Adelaide) also did very well to for second with Eric Lane third, again performing well. Bruce Lindner and Ken Parker filled the places in the combined Nett, picking up points from the championship.

Trophies will be presented at the 2020 South Australian Senior Pennant Final at West Lakes Golf Club on 23rd November.

Final Standings | Senior - Click Here Final Standings | Super Senior - Click Here Final Standings | All Nett - Click Here

Links Lady Bay Provides a Stern Test in SA Senior Men’s & Women’s Championship

Mother Nature conspired with the normal challenges of an extended Links Lady Bay layout, tight pin positions and the normal penal bunkers for two of the three days spent at the Normanville complex on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Spring weather in SA can be capricious – Monday the 7th gave us a 35-40kph northerly; Tuesday teased with a perfect day and Wednesday provide a strong SE wind which locals advised was the most difficult !

An analysis of the statistics for the field on a hole by hole basis, reinforced the difficulties encountered for many. The course guide describes the 10th as being “undemanding” but only one par was recorded on the Monday ! With only one interstater (Kym Hargrave – Heritage Golf & Country Club), the men’s field of 73 was most pleasing as was the strong representation of “younger” seniors and members of the Adelaide sand-belt clubs, further demonstrating that golf is vibrant in these abnormal times. 5 players in the women’s field with 4 from Blackwood Golf Club plus one from the host club. The SA Senior Order of Merit was very much truncated by Covid, with four events held in February/March plus the championship with extra points allocated for the 3-day event. Player’s best three events were taken to determine the respective Senior, Super Senior and Nett winners for 2020. Difficult conditions will always see the very best players prevail – playing his only OOM event this year, Tea Tree Gully’s champ John Davey shot an absolutely superb 77 to open his account . John’s strong ball flight; high quality ball striking; skill and experience was very much on display. John broke 80 for all of his 3 rounds. 3 other rounds in the seventies were returned – all on Tuesday – Steve Ross, Ken Parker and the tournament’s best round of 76 from Richard Payne.

Davey winning margin of 15 shots from fellow Tea Tree Gully member, Chris Everett, emphasised his domination. Tied 3rd were more TTG players – Norm Cordina and Mike Richards with Ken Parker (Kooyonga) and Steve Ross (South Lakes).

Chris Everett also was the best Super Senior from Parker and Richards. Parker, Bruce Lindner (Kooyonga), Ross, Davey and Eric Lane (Grange) were the best Men’s Nett performers. Experienced Lorry Brown (Blackwood) kept her score in the nineties for all 3 rounds to win both the Women’s Gross and Nett. All ladies battled it out for the three rounds with Angela Masters (Blackwood) only finishing 3 shots back. Lorry has represented Australia in soft-ball and has played high-level women’s golf over a long period.

Many thanks to the outstanding volunteers from Links Lady Bay for their time and effort in assisting to stage a great event.

Full Results - Click Here