Although we, in South Australia, only got four Senior Order of Merit rounds in before close-down, the situation in the respective Tables is worth a comment or two.

Golf Australia has now advised that the following arrangements will apply meaning that the SA Senior in September should determine the winners for 2020.

“Senior Order of Merit The South Australian Senior, Super Senior and Senior Nett Order of Merits will be awarded in 2020. Due to COVID-19 event cancellations, the revised number of events players must play to be eligible for the trophy has changed to three events (60% of the scheduled number of events). Term of the Competition 3.2 (Revised): A player’s final SASOOM points total for both stroke and nett will comprise all points accrued from his best 3 performances in designated events. Once a player competes in more than 3 out of a possible 5 events, his worst performance drops off for each additional event he plays. A player that does not compete in 3 or more events will not be eligible for the overall SASOOM trophies.

Please Note: The final 2020 SASOOM event is the South Australian Men’s & Women’s Senior Amateur Championship, Monday 7th – Friday 9th September, at Links Lady Bay”.

SA Senior Order of Merit - click here to view standings No starts from John Davey and Norm Cordina so far but irrespective Steve Ross has got off to a great start with a big win at home at South Lakes; followed by 5th at Blackwood, 3rd at Mt Osmond and an 8th at Thaxted Park.

Bruce Lindner, a proven winner, has also started well (two third placings and a fourth) with Kooyonga’s Richard Payne turning in good scores in first season (two seconds supported by two sixths) particularly commendable as the big-hitting Richard has limited experience on the courses played to-date.

Last year’s winner, Trevor Smith has started a little slowly by his standards but is sure to again make his presence felt. Yet another Tea Tree Gully player in Craig Gordon won at Mt Osmond and Glen McGough and Nigel Turner will also be potential winners.

SA Super Senior Order of Merit - click here to view standings Eric Lane and Mike Richards are the contenders again with Mike looking to for a “three-peat”. Geoff Ashby , making the long trek from Eudunda to play a full season is making his mark and the experienced Lindsay Elliott is having his best season since he played in an Australian second side some years back.

Last year’s Senior runner-up, Ken Parker, was still recovering from a hip replacement but is back to full fitness and can be expected to move up the order.

SA Senior Order of Merit Nett - click here to view standings Steve Ross’s consistency shows up here – clearly playing to his handicap. Nice to see “nice guy Andrew Long” also playing consistent golf – these two have opened up a nice gap to Peter Shaw.

John Anderson, July 2020