The burst of activity that occurs in the SA SOOM at this time of the year continued with the combined Grange/Kooyonga rounds. This event, remembered by many of us as the “Tony Mazzone” event when we played two rounds at his beloved Grange – an event that our sadly passed friend established and drove with a passion. The event in its new two-club format continues to be a Nationally ranked event but unfortunately no visitors were able to attend this year and were very much missed. 8 women and 46 men turned out at The Grange on Thursday, 2 September. Spring weather in Adelaide is capricious and the conditions that greeted players indicated a taxing day indeed. 30o from nowhere plus howling 40kph northerly winds. Grange West always presents a challenge – the subtleties of the Clayton design and the need for position play from the tee were replaced by a battle for survival as greens firmed up and got faster and shots went miles down wind; nowhere into the wind and anywhere when affected by a crosswind! No reflection on the course which was in great nick – just unfortunate for players not to be able to experience and enjoy Grange West in better weather. As always, no matter what the conditions, someone can always play and the adept Jim Richards (Tea Tree Gully) with 81 and Richard Payne (Kooyonga) (83) where the day’s best. It was a battered field, indeed, that assembled for an 8:00am shot-gun start at Kooyonga but as with all golfers, a new day brings new hope! (some players did remember the 2019 event when it was Kooyonga’s turn for strong winds and terrible weather and many tales of disaster). However, we got a perfect conditions after overnight rain made the course a picture with the famed course condition impressing all visiting for the first time. Lunch and presentations in the dining room followed and we all look forward to next year’s event with the hope that players from all States can participate. The SA Senior Championship at Links Lady Bay will determine the Order of Merit results for season 2021. Men’s Senior – Gross was won by Nick Wake (Blackwood) with scores of 84 and 77. Nick plays a limited number of events but as a current pennant player is always one of the favourites when he is in the field. Shane Amor continued his excellent form with runner-up in the Gross and winning the Nett. Shane’s nett 71 being the best of the two day’s scores. Shane’s win in the Nett was on a count-back from Boyd Austin (Thaxted Park). SOOM Gross contenders Richard Payne and Glen McGough scored valuable points. The evergreen, Jim Richards dominated the Super Seniors, taking out both the Gross (81,79) and Nett (78,75) and taking the lead in the OOM although clubmate Mike Richards is still in contention for a “four-peat” ! Mike was second in the Gross and fourth in the Nett. Peter Pavy (Kooyonga) who plays some of his golf at Royal Aberdeen showed his prowess in the wind to come second in the Nett on a count-back. Peter playing to his handicap on the Friday. Peter Waters from Mt Gambier was a very steady performer on both days for Nett third. Jill Hodge (Glenelg) won her third Women’s – Gross from three appearances (91,87). Grange members Sue Dob and Libby Broomhead filled the placings. Women’s – Nett went to Rosemary Underwood (Blackwood (83,74) from Broomhead and Dob. Event Results > Click Here

Order of Merit Rankings > Click Here (select SA OOM)