The Veteran Golfers Australian Championship will return to Queensland in 2009 and the Queensland Veteran Golf Union has allocated the event to Cairns.

The Championship will be held in August, which organisers say is the best time of year in the northern city with pleasant dry conditions, low humidity and an average daily maximum temperature of 27 degrees.

The Queensland Union have chosen two of the best local courses on which to stage the event.

Half Moon Bay Golf Club is a scenic course with a backdrop of lush rainforest and it has one fairway only 30 metres from the Coral Sea. It is renowned for its abundant wildlife.

Cairns Golf Club is set against spectacular mountain scenery. The course features generous fairways and wide greens and is generally regarded as a friendly course but with the tees back and clever pin placements its mood changes and it has real bite for the unwary golfer.

Both courses will be set up to fully challenge the skills of the low handicap players, but on days when the C Graders and ladies are playing, the courses will be tweaked to make them testing but not as severe.

A Ladies Golf Classic will be conducted at the same time as the Championship for accompanying ladies and organizers are working to make this a top level event.

Nomination forms will be distributed in October but organisers say they are already receiving a strong flow of enquiries and  indications are that available places will be taken up very quickly.

For more information visit the Queensland Veteran Golf Union.

 See our stories on the 2008 Australian Veteran Golfers Union National Championships in Adelaide

Preparations for the 2008 Australian Veteran Golfers Union National Championships in Adelaide are well under way and organisers are expecting a bumper event.

Tournament Coordinator Jeff McAllister says entries have picked up significantly for the October event but there are still plenty of places left.

The championships are open to all men and lady golfers who are members of state veteran golf organisations and will be held at some of Adelaide’s premier golf course from October 12 to 17.

As well as a marvellous week of golf, there are also various tour options available and you can also plot your own course, perhaps with the help of the Tourism South Australia.

In addition to a host of traditional accommodation options, it could also be a great opportunity to think about joining the new Senior Golf Exchange, which would drastically cut your accommodation costs and open up a new world of golf travel in Australia and internationally. (See our upcoming story.)

Just prior to the veteran’s championship, Adelaide will host the World Amateur Teams Championships, which will bring some of the world’s leading male and female golfers to contest the Eisenhower Trophy and the Espirito Santo Trophy.

 Most of the world’s biggest names in golf have played for these Trophies over the years, including Jack Nicklaus, Sergio Garcia, David Duval, Tiger Woods; and leading female golfers such as Annika Sorenstam, Nancy Lopez and Karrie Webb.

The WATC will be a great opportunity to see the next generation of golf’s superstars from over 25 countries on two great golf courses - Royal Adelaide and The Grange.

Entries for the veteran golfer championships will close on August 31.

As the event draws closer, organisers are finalising the details.

“The registration day on Sunday 12th October is all arranged at the Westward Ho club rooms,” Jeff McAllister says.

“Port Road Sports who will supply the shirts and caps/visors will set up a marquee to distribute to those who have pre purchased and have a selection of other items for sale on the day, including bucket hats, sleeveless tops and additional clothing of interest,” he says.

“The Cocktail Party is to be held on the Monday evening from 5.30 to 7.30pm and will include all drinks during that period and a large selection of finger food.

“All playing venues are locked in and the final Presentation Dinner is booked at AAMI stadium at West lakes.

“We hope to have room for a dance floor, depending on the entry numbers, music will be provided by the group “LA”, playing suitable popular music on the night.

“We are still hoping that the Governor of South Australia will be able to attend and present the winners trophies on the night. The Right Honorable Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce is a down to earth man, a member of Backwood Golf club and a fellow SA Veteran golfer. “Tourism South Australia will have short tours available for those interested. Des’s Minibus also have day tours for the “free” Wednesday, priced from $75 to $100 per person (minimum 10 ) to the Barossa Valley, Victor Harbour and the Adelaide Hills wine regions, package lunch provided. Those interested can book on the Sunday at Registration.

“There are also quite a few players booked to play at Adelaide Shores on the free day, we have reserved times for them and all interested can pay at the Pro Shop on the day. There are plenty of carts for hire also.   

“We have negotiated with Pete Drummond Golf for Vouchers which can be redeemed at their stores throughout Australia. Other trophies will be in the form of golf balls and bottles of South Australian wine. Daily Trophies can be redeemed by the winners the next day or during the week up to the presentation night. 

“A raffle will be also be held with tickets available on the Sunday, for a TaylorMade golf bag and a top golf driver, plus more SA wine. This will be drawn on the Friday night at the presentation dinner.”

For further details see our previous story here or visit the website of the hosts, the South Australian Veteran Golfers Association.

SHOWING all his class and experience, Lake Macquarie golfer Tony Jones (pictured left) has won the NSW Veteran Golfers Association Matchplay Championships. 

The 72 year old single handicapper beat his younger rival Rod Hall, from the Port Kembla Golf Club, in a hard fought and close final at the much improved Shellharbour Links course. 

Both these players have been NSW representative golfers in their time and the talent shone through during the week long event, with preliminary rounds also held at the championship Port Kembla course and The Grange at Kembla Grange. 

Jones (Waratah Golf  Club) has been playing golf for 57 years and needed all the guile and cunning he has built up over that time to make up for the distance he was losing on the longer shots. 

Jones and Hall turned level after nine holes but a couple of birdies on the par threes saw Jones one hole ahead with one to play. 

His second shot on the final hole ended up in a gully about 35 metres short of the green but a brilliant chip to within a few feet of the hole clinched the championship. 

Hall, unlucky with a few very close putts on previous holes, failed with the birdie putt he needed from the fringe to force the match into overtime. 

Jones was in the NSW Amateur Junior side as a 22 year old, and has won a number of tournaments over the years. In latter times he has been a runner up and frequent competitor at the Australian Men’s Senior Amateur Championships. 

Jones was delighted with his Veterans win, particularly after slipping two holes behind on their back nine (they teed off the 10th). 

“It was a good win but I know he can play better than that,” he said of his 62 year old matchplay foe Ron Hall. 

“He’s a good player all right, he played for the state for quite a while, plus he comes from down here,” Jones said. 

“Plus he’s off four and I’m off seven so I was giving him a bit of a start (they played off scratch for the matchplay), there’s ten years in age and about 30 kilograms in weight,” Jones joked. 

The veterans matchplay championship has previously been held annually in Coffs Harbour and this is the first year it has moved to what looks like its permanent new home in the Illawarra. 

NSWVGA secretary and matchplay tournament director Dick Farrant said whilst numbers were slightly down because of the move it had  been a very successful week. 

Farrant said there had been entrants from all over NSW and the ACT, with particularly strong support from the Newcastle area. 

“We will definitely be holding it at the same three courses next year,” he said. 

“It has been a very popular event and I’m  sure if you spoke to any of the competitors involved they would have had a great week.” 

Tony Jones is one competitor predicting an even bigger and better event next year. 

“There will be a lot of better players next year because they will all be saying ‘if that old bastard can win it, it must be pretty easy’, so they’ll all be down here,” he said.

Marie Wins Ladies Matchplay Championship

Jamberoo Golf Club member Marie Farrant (pictured right) won the ladies section of the NSW Veterans Matchplay Championship, blaming the win on her new Lady Cobra golf clubs.

“They’re beautiful,” she said of the month old clubs.

Marie has been playing veterans golf for 13 years and was celebrating her best win.

“This is my biggest win and also the first time I have played veterans matchplay,” she said.

Marie beat rival Jane Hartmann from the Wakehurst Golf Club in Sydney. She was three up with two holes to play.

“I’m very happy, it was a good win,” Marie said. “I’m really happy with the golf sticks, really pleased with them.”

“We’ve played four games of matchplay this week and I’ve won four in a row.” 

Marie and her husband Dick (NSWVGA secretary) have travelled Australia playing veterans golf and have attended all the Australian Veterans Golfers Union National Championships, which rotate around the country on a state by state roster.

They’ll be attending the AVGU National Championships in Adelaide this October.

“We’ll be going to Adelaide this year and this will be our second time around now,” Marie said.

WITH the Australian Veteran Golfers Union National Championships being held in Adelaide this year it could be a perfect opportunity to blend golf and sightseeing.

In fact, the South Australian Tourism Commission is using the slogan “A Brilliant Blend” in its overall tourism campaign at present and that could very well ring true for the National vets championship.

Organisers are hoping for some 700 men and women veteran golfers to take part in the championship. The event is being hosted by the South Australian Veteran Golfers Association from October 12 to 17.

SAVG President Jeff McAllister has put out the welcome mat for interstate golfers and urged them to “come and play and enjoy our renowned South Australian hospitality, stay and take in the local sites.”

Visitors who arrive early will also be able to take in the Amateur Men and Women World Teams Event hosted by South Australia at the Grange Golf Club and Royal Adelaide Golf Club. The women play the Esperito Santo Trophy, 8 to 11 October 2008; the men play The Eisenhower Cup, 16 to 19 October 2008.

The venues for the vets championships will include three of the premier courses in Adelaide; The Vines of Reynella, Blackwood Golf Club at Cherry Gardens and Tea Tree Gully Golf Club in the eastern suburbs foothills.

Ladies will play these courses on the Monday stableford and at the two western suburbs courses, Riverside at West Lakes and Adelaide Shores at West Beach on the Tuesday and Thursday.

For the full Playing Program and other details visit the SAVG website here.

A wide range of accommodation is available. For accommodation and touring options visit the South Australian Tourism Commission here.

The South Australia Veterans Golfers Association comprises a Metropolitan group and nine affiliated groups throughout the state. All groups will welcome visiting veteran golfers who wish to extend their stay in SA. There is always a game on Mondays at one of the programmed venues.

The Australian Veteran Golfers Union National Championships is held annually with the venue rotating throughout the country. It was held last year in Darwin.

 Photo: This picturesque dam awaits at the 18th at Blackwood Golf Club.

Preparations well underway for Adelaide championships - story update

Veterans Golf is played across Australia in a variety of formats.

As well as regular individual competitions conducted by local golf clubs, there are also Weeks of Golf, regional, state and national events.

Veterans golf events are usually open to golfers aged 55 plus who are members of a golf club affiliated with the Australian Golf Union and have a current AGU handicap. Ladies veteran events have similar requirements.

 Each year a national Australian Veteran Golfers Union Championship is held in a different location. In October 2008 the championship will be held in Adelaide.

For individual state calenders of events, qualifying , organisational, contact and other details see the information below.

 Veterans Golf NSW

The NSW Veterans Golfers Association has over 14,000 members and there are 31 group zones, many of which have 10 or 15 smaller groups within each zone. Veteran golf is growing and you can be assured of a great day out wherever you decide to play. You meet all sorts of people, strange characters, brilliant golfers, burglars, academics, businessmen and others from all stations in life, the 19th hole conversation is never dull.

Veteran groups have access to some of the best golf courses in Australia, and you get to play on any, or all of these courses, at our regular regional veteran golf days, at very reasonable rates.

The NSWVGA conducts 35 Annual Weeks of Golf throughout NSW each year. Visit their website for a full calender of events as well as results, contact details and other useful information.

 Golfers aged 55 and over you are eligible to play with the ‘Vets’, the rules are simple and the cost is minimal, $10 to join and annual fees ranging from $5 to $25 per annum thereafter within NSW and the ACT.

To become a member you must be a member of a golf club which is affiliated with the AGU and you must have a club handicap. To actually join up all you need to do is find out when and where the next ‘vets golf day’ is being held and turn up.

 NSW Veteran Golfers Association website

Veterans Golf Queensland

The Queensland Veteran Golf Union comprises 21 Districts stretching from Cairns to the Tweed. The Union has around 7000 members from over 100 golf clubs and in addition to the two major State Championships around 50 open events are held throughout the State each year.

To become a veteran golfer you must be a male member of a golf club affiliated with the Australian Golf Union, be over 55 years and have a current AGU handicap.

Membership can be arranged through your nearest District Secretary, as listed on their website.

Queensland Veteran Golf Union website

Veterans Golf Victoria

The VVGA was formed in 1982 and now consists of 21 Districts from all parts of Victoria. Each District has their own autonomy and culture and are affiliated with the VVGA. Today there are almost 5000 veteran members in Victoria and 30000 in Australia.

Monthly fixtures are conducted by the 21 veteran districts at over 250 golf clubs. Open VVGA Championships are conducted at 5 different locations annually. The Four Ball, Country, Sandscrape, Teams and State events make up the VVGA Majors. VVGA supported events are conducted at 10 locations annually and Interstate events are readily available.The Bill Mead International Match Play is played annually at Rich River under the auspices of the AVGU and VVGA.
Joining the Veterans is easy all you need to be is 55 years of age and a member of a golf club affiliated with the VGA or VGL. Simply contact your local District Secretary listed in the Contact section of their website.

 Victorian Veteran Golfers Association website

Veterans Golf South Australia

The South Australian Veteran Golfers Association caters for all golfers who belong to a recognised golf club and wish to partake in regular competitions played on golf courses around the city and in country towns. Extended tours are also organised.

To join members must have reached the age of 55. The joining fee is $5.00, and yearly membership is $10.00.

All games are ’shot-gun starts’, where members must report to the starter 30 minutes before hit-off time, which is, on most occasions, 9.00am. Competition is in three grades. “A” handicap 1-16; “B” 17-21; “C” 22-32. In addition there are nearest the pin holes.

From the 12th to 17th October the SAVGA will be hosting the Australian Veteran Golfers Union National Championships in Adelaide.

South Australian Veteran Golfer’s Association website

Veterans Golf Western Australia

 The Western Australian Veteran Golfers Association Inc. was founded in 1982. It encourages fellowship amongst players while playing at each others’ courses weekly throughout the year.
To be eligible for Membership of the “Vets” you must be over 55 and be a member of a WAGA affiliated A or C class golf club.

Nominate through your club representative or contact the Secretary with an initial fee of $45. This covers joining fee, badge, tie, plus the annual membership subscription. Following year’s subscription is $15.The golfing season commences on the first week of February with weekly games, mostly on Mondays, through to the first week of December.

An annual five day South West Tour is organised in October, including golf at some of the most exciting courses in the South West, including wives and partners, in a stimulating week of golf.
The Country Veteran Golfers Association conducts monthly golf competitions and operates in the South West area of the State.

Western Australia Veterans Golfers Association website