THE Australian PGA Seniors Tour has been renamed the PGA Legends Tour.

PGA Australia says the new name was approved at a recent board meeting and the move will also see the tour introduce a new logo.

The PGA Legends Tour, for PGA Members over the age of 50, has approximately 30 events per year.

The biggest event on the tour, which features the likes of golfers Wayne Grady, Rodger Davis and David Merriman, is the Polygiene Australian PGA Seniors Championship which will take place from December 11-14 in Byron Bay.

The Byron Bay event will have a total prize pool this year of $80,000, reflecting the increasing interest and popularity of senior golf.

The 2009 PGA Seniors Qualifying School will be played from  January 11 - 14 January at Camden Lakeside Country Club in New South Wales.

The 2009 Australian Men’s Mid Amateur Golf Championship, open to golfers aged 30 to 54 with a handicap less than 7.4, will be played from January 20 - 22 at The National Golf Club on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria.

The 2008 event was a huge success with Victoria’s Jason Perry finishing strongly to take the title.

As Perry discovered, winning the championship gives a direct exemption to the Australian Open, and next year’s winner will have the opportunity to play in the 2009 Australian Open at the New South Wales Golf Club.

All three courses at the National Golf Club - The Old Course, Moonah and Ocean Courses - will be utillised for the 54 hole event in January.

Golf Australia says the National is a fantastic golfing facility and a one of its kind in Australia that will provide a fantastic challenge for players from all parts of the country.

Trevor Herden, Golf Australia Director of Championships, said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for the golfers in this demographic to test their skills against their peers over three championship courses at one of the best facilities in the country.”

What: 2009 Australian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship
When: 20 – 22 January 2009
Where: The National GC, Victoria
Format: 54 holes stroke play (max 120 players)
Courses: The Old Course, Moonah and Ocean Courses ( 1 round on each)
Handicap Limit: 7.4
Location: 10 The Cups Drive, Cape Schanck (Mornington Peninsula), Victoria
Entry Fee: $150.00 (on-line); or $170.00 (mail, fax, or e-mail)
Entries Open: 28 October 2008
Entry Close: 5 January 2009

Golf Australia Championship Entry Form

GOLF hasn’t been played at the Olympics for over a century but now many of its leading players and governing bodies are pushing for its inclusion in 2016.

Much has changed in the sport since 77 golfers from just two countries – the USA and Canada - competed for men’s medals in individual and teams events at the 1904 Olympics in St Louis.

Golf is now played by 60 million people in nearly 120 countries  and pressure is mounting for it to be readmitted to the Ollympic fold.

Effectively, golf is now in a play-off against baseball, karate, roller sports, rugby sevens, softball and squash for inclusion.

Representatives of the International Golf Federation have formally presented their case for golf to become an Olympic sport during a meeting with the International Olympic Committee Program Commission in recent days at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Making the presentation were Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A and Joint Secretary of the IGF, and PGA TOUR executive Ty Votaw, Executive Director of the IGF Olympic Golf Committee.

Among the key points they highlighted were golf’s worldwide participation and diversity; the sport’s economic and charitable impact; and its commitment to the youth of the world. Golf, they noted, has grown significantly in these three areas and would continue to grow as an Olympic sport, thus influencing the relevance and attraction of the Olympic Games.

the current top-10 rankings for both men and women feature players from 12 different countries

Dawson said  golf was truly an international sport that continued to grow through

new initiatives being implemented all over the world to teach the game to both young and old.

“We believe the time is right for golf to be brought back to the Olympic Games,” he said.

During the presentation, the IOC Programme Commission was shown a series of short films that featured top players expressing support for golf’s bid. The films opened up with Lorena Ochoa of Mexico, the Number 1 ranked woman golfer in the world, and closed with World Number 1 ranked Tiger Woods. In between, the support of top players such as Annika Sorenstam from Sweden, Phil Mickelson from the United States, Suzanne Petterson from Norway and Vijay Singh from Fiji.

Also appearing in the films with statements of support were: Paula Creamer, United States;  Karrie Webb, Australia; K.J. Choi, South Korea; Ernie Els, South Africa; Sergio Garcia, Spain; Ryuji Imada, Japan; Anthony Kim, United States;  Camilo Villegas, Colombia; and Mike Weir, Canada.

“We felt it was critically important to show that many of the game’s biggest stars are saying supportive and positive things about golf’s bid for the Olympics,” Votaw said. “We obviously believe there is a very compelling case as to why golf should become an Olympic sport, and today was the first official step in what essentially is a year-long selection process. Peter and I took the opportunity to highlight the growth and popularity of golf, its global impact and how it would benefit the Olympic Games.”

A special element to the presentation was the presence of the actual trophy presented to Canadian George Lyon for winning the individual stroke play in 1904 in St. Louis, USA. 

Showing just how international professional golf has become, Votaw pointed out that the current top-10 rankings for both men and women feature players from 12 different countries.

Professional golf is televised every week in 216 countries, translated into 35 languages, with a reach of more than 500 million households. Also of note is that 120 players, or half of the LPGA’s membership, are from countries outside the United States. Plus, the European Tour’s “Race to Dubai” in 2009 will feature 53 tournaments in 27 countries.

While specifics of the proposed Olympic format will be based on the input of top players and outlined in the formal bid, Dawson and Votaw presented an overview of the IGF’s initial thinking, which includes 60-player fields for both men and women playing in a yet-to-be determined individual competitive format.

“We envisage the individual athlete competing for his or her country to ensure geographic balance among the players and to maximise the number of countries that can earn a medal,” Dawson explained.

Dawson and Votaw also noted the ease with which golf would fit into any of the four finalists to host the 2016 Games due to existing golf facilities in those cities – Chicago, USA; Madrid, Spain; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Tokyo, Japan. Both the host city and selection of any new sports will be determined at the 121^st IOC session, scheduled for October 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Local favorite Aaron Townsend has claimed the NSW Open by seven shots whist Michael Long has been crowned the 2008 Von Nida Tour Money List winner.  

Townsend and Long accepted their trophies at the final Von Nida Tour event held at The Vintage Golf Club in the New South Wales Hunter Valley on Sunday.

Townsend,  27, wrapped up his maiden Von Nida Tour victory with a final round three under 68 to win by seven shots from runner up Victorian Steve Jones.

Last week’s Cellarbrations NSW PGA Championship winner Tim Wood finished in third place on eight under par while Sydney’s Jamie Arnold and newly turned pro Matthew Griffin were tied fourth a further two shots back. 

For Townsend, who is now heading for the second stage of US Tour School, the win comes after he previously finished second three times, the most recent this year at the OG Roberts South Australian PGA Championship.

“I can say enough about how special this is”, said a delighted and exhausted Townsend. “My first one, to win the NSW Open is tremendous.”

“I tried not to look at the leaderboard or too much that was going on around me and just tried to think if I play well and just try to take care of what I do then it will make it hard for anyone to try to catch me so I was really happy with how I played.”

“My confidence is at a high now and that’s what you need at this time of year so its an excellent time to be flying this high!”

Townsend played an impressive tournament, establishing what was to become an unbeatable lead on Day two. He finished the second round with a five shot lead, extending that to six by the end of the third round and finished off with a seven shot buffer.

Perth based New Zealander Long clinched the 2008 Von Nida Money List Trophy by $760.00 over Townsend. The 40 year old finished the year on a high with a win at the Oceanique WA PGA Championship two weeks ago and immediately backed up with a runner up finish at last week’s Cellarbrations NSW PGA Championship, finishing on a total of $27,650.

“I’m very happy. There’s a lot great talent and great players on this Tour and it’s a great privilege to have won this trophy. It’s the first Order of Merit Trophy I have ever won!”

“It’s been a great three weeks”, said the semi retired New Zealand born WA resident. “I intend to enjoy my golf a lot more now and am enjoying the break. It’s really refreshing to be able to have a week off now, have a few drinks and then start again!”

Belmont teenager Brendan Smith finished as the leading amateur.

Final leading scores at the NSW Open at The Vintage.

1, Aaron Townsend, -17, 63, 67, 69, 68, 267

2, Steven Jones, -10, 65, 71, 70, 68, 274

3, Timothy Wood, -8, 73, 67, 68, 68, 276

T4, Jamie Arnold, -6, 62, 73, 70, 73, 278

T4, Matthew Griffin, -6, 67, 71, 71, 69, 278

6, Bradley Andrews, -5, 69, 74, 68, 68, 279

T7, Benjamin Burge, -3, 71, 68, 71, 71, 281

T7, Brad Lamb, -3, 69, 72, 68, 72, 281

T7, Peter Nolan, -3, 71, 71, 72, 67, 281

T10, Aaron Black, -2, 68, 70, 70, 74, 282

T10, Ryan Hammond, -2, 66, 72, 73, 71, 282

T10, Brendan Smith, -2, 71, 73, 67, 71, 282

T13, Michael Brennan, -1, 72, 69, 72, 70, 283

T13, Leigh McKechnie, -1, 70, 68, 73, 72, 283

T13, James Nitties, -1, 72, 70, 73, 68, 283

T13, Jason Norris, -1, 69, 72, 74, 68, 283

T13, Peter Wilson, -1, 75, 69, 69, 70, 283

T18, Matthew Ballard, E, 69, 70, 72, 73, 284

T18, Craig Scott, E, 70, 74, 69, 71, 284

T18, Tim Stewart, E, 69, 73, 71, 71, 284

T18, Michael Williams, E, 67, 74, 70, 73, 284

The Australian team has recorded a resounding victory at the 2008 Asia-Pacific Senior Golf Championship played in Sabah, Malaysia.

Current Australian Senior Amateur Champion Stefan Albinski compounded the win, taking out the individual championship.

The six man Australian team of Rick Oliver (captain), Denis Dale, Ross Percy, Brian Sams, Nigel Goodall and Albinksi finished 23 strokes ahead of the New Zealand team, with The Philippines third.
With the best four rounds counting each day, the Australian team finished on 23 over par - averaging better than 74 for each scoring round on the tricky par 72 Nexus Golf Resort course at Karambunai.
In the individual championship, Stefan Albinksi (73-75-73) and Brian Sams (74-76-71) featured in a play off for the title.

Albinksi was the winner with a birdie on the second sudden death play off hole.

Australia was the dominant team at the event this year with all six Australian team players finishing in the top 20 positions with four players finishing in the top ten.

12/11/08, Round 2: Aussies strengthen lead

Australia has taken a commanding lead after round two of the 2008 Asia-Pacific Senior Championship in Sabah, Malaysia.

Quality rounds of 74 from Nigel Goodall and Brian Sams set the pace with Stefan Albinski (75) and Denis Dale (76) making up the four scores that counted in the teams event.

Rick Oliver (80) could not repeat his opening two under par 70. Ross Percy (80) struggled with his game today but looks forward to the final round on Thursday.
Australia now leads New Zealand by 17 shots and The Philippines by 19 and are hoping for another good day of consistent scores on the final day to take home the team trophy.

Australia’s consistency sees five of their players in the top ten individual scores with Stefan Albinksi the best in second place.

11/11/08, 1st Round: Rick Oliver helps Aussie team take lead

A two under par 70 by Rick Oliver has helped Australia to the lead after round one of the 2008 Asia-Pacific Senior Championship at the Karambunai Golf Resort in Sabah, Malaysia.

He shares the individual lead while Australia leads New Zealand by 5 shots in the team competition.

Sydney’s Stefan Albinksi was the next best Australian with a very tidy 73 followed by Brian Sams who worked hard for his four over par 76.

Denis Dale and Nigel Goodall both reported a struggle on the greens when they finished with 77’s. Ross Percy was not at his usual consistent best with 82. The best four scores count each day.

The Australian team includes Rick Oliver (NSW), Denis Dale (NSW), Ross Percy (VIC), Brian Sams (NSW), Nigel Goodall (WA) and Stefan Albinski (NSW).

(Original Reports Courtesy of Denis Dale and AUSOOM)

2008 Asia Pacific Seniors – Live Scoring

There are news reports that the Titleist Pro V1 golf ball is on the verge of being banned.

But if you are one of the many who hold the Titleist Pro V1’s dear, don’t panic. Reports of their demise appear premature.

It all revolves around a long running dispute with Callaway over alleged infringement of technology patents.

A report published on the Sydney Morning Herald website today (and similar in The Age) states:

“THE golf ball used by many of the world’s best professional players and millions of amateurs is on the verge of being banned.

The Titleist Pro V1 ball, used by the likes of Australians Adam Scott and Geoff Ogilvy, will disappear in its current form from next year after Callaway, a fierce rival of Titleist in the top-end golf market, won a lawsuit in the United States.

 The original case went Callaway’s way in December 2007; yesterday, the District Court in Wilmington, Delaware, rejected an appeal by Acushnet, manufacturer of Titleist products, and granted a “permanent injunction” stopping the manufacture of the balls.

Callaway claimed that Titleist infringed its patent on the technology used in production of its HX brand balls when it began making Pro V1.”

However Titleist, in the form of the parent organisation the Acushnet Company, has released the following public statement, which in part says the court “ruling will not have any impact on our ability to supply our customers with Pro V1 golf balls.”

Fairhaven, MA. — Acushnet Company, the golf business of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO), announced that it will file an appeal of today’s ruling in a U.S. District Court in Delaware granting Callaway Golf’s request for an injunction in the long-running dispute with respect to four Callaway patents and Acushnet’s Titleist Pro V1 golf balls.  The company also announced that it does not expect the ruling to have a material adverse impact on its results.
 
“We strongly disagree with the judge’s ruling and will file an appeal and seek relief from the injunction,” said Joe Nauman, executive vice president, corporate and legal of Acushnet.  “However, it’s important to recognize that this ruling will not have any impact on our ability to supply our customers with Pro V1 golf balls because of the following actions which we have undertaken.  In September 2008, we converted production of the existing Pro V1 models so that they are outside of the patents in question; and we have also developed and will be introducing new and improved Titleist Pro V1 products in the first quarter of 2009 that are also outside the scope of the patents in question.    
 
“Our Pro V1 golf balls are the product of technology developed and accumulated by the Acushnet Company over the past 20 years,” Nauman continued.  “Acushnet is the industry leader in developing golf ball technology and has over 650 active golf ball patents – more than any other manufacturer.  Over 65 of these patents are related to the Pro V1 family.
 
“We will continue to defend ourselves vigorously and we fully expect to prevail in having all claims of all four patents at issue determined to be invalid in the appeal process,” Nauman added.  “Our confidence is underpinned by the fact that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued final office actions which have determined these patents to be invalid.”

UPDATE 19/11/2008

With concerns about the fate of Titleist Pro V1 balls still circulating, Titleist has posted the following FAQ list. They would seem to confirm that whatever the outcome of any court decisions,  Titleist Pro Vi balls will still be available on the shelves (and certianly for play in Australia). Titleist says it is always making modifications to the balls and has already done so in this case.

TITLEIST PRO V1 LITIGATION FACT SHEET

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Geoff Ogilvy has finished in a tie for third place at the HSBC Champions in Shanghai after a two-under par 70 in his final round.
The former US Open champion had an up-and-down round with three bogeys and five birdies to finish at 13-under overall, just one stroke behind leaders Sergio Garcia and Oliver Wilson.
New world No.2 Garcia edged out his Ryder Cup team-mate in a play-off to win a thrilling rain-affected tournament.
With the win, Garcia claimed a career-high in the world rankings, while the $US833,300 (AU$1,214,397) first prize sends the 28-year-old top of the inaugural Race to Dubai.
“It feels great,” said Garcia after claiming his eighth European Tour victory.
“I am so proud, to win and become world number two, it’s been a great week.”
SAS Masters winner Peter Hanson shot a six-under-par 66 to share third place alongside Ogilvy.
Adam Scott capped off a good tournament for the Aussie contingent with a sixth-place finishing, while Andrew Bonhomme faded in his final round to finish at even-par in a tie for 31st.
Crazy Phil Mickelson could only manage a one-over par 73 in his final round to finish in a tie for eighth place at nine-under.

Wood wins NSW PGA Championship

RIVERSIDE OAKS: CATTAI, NSW, Sunday November 9: In a thrilling finish today, Victorian Tim Wood held off a late charge from Peter Senior and Michael Long to win the 2008 Cellarbrations NSW PGA Championship at Riverside Oaks.
The 27 year old Victorian took the match to the wire bogeying the final two holes to win by just a a shot over last week’s Oceanique WA PGA Championship winner Long and the evergreen Senior.
Wood, a regular on the Canadian Tour for the past two seasons claimed his maiden Von Nida Tour victory after entering the final day with a one shot lead over Long and held a two shot lead at the 16th. Both he and Long then bogeyed the 17th as Senior knocked in a 30 foot birdie putt, but the young Victorian’s lead gave him enough to come home with the win.
He finished the tournament on a total of 16 under 272, with Long and Senior in equal second place on 15 under 273.
Pymble trainee pro Brent McCullogh came home with a final round 68 to finish outright third on 11 under followed by New Zealander Brad Shilton and Newcastle’s James Nitties who sailed home with rounds of five under 67 to finish T7 on 11 under alongside Sydney’s Dean Kinney and Tristan Lambert.
Former US Tour winner Andre Stolz finished at 10 under and T11 alongside defending champion Scott Draper.
For Wood, he picked up the first prize of $15,000 and will head to The Vintage GC in the Hunter Valley to contest the season ending NSW Open starting on Thursday.

Four Aussies secure 209 US PGA Tour cards

Four Australians have secured their 2009 US PGA TOUR cards after finishing in the Top 25 on the Nationwide Tour Money List for 2008.

At the conclusion of the 2008 Nationwide Tour Championship on Sunday (US time) Jarrod Lyle, Greg Chalmers, Aron Price and Marc Leishman booked their tickets to the big show and the chance to win a prized US PGA Tour event next season.

They join Robert Allenby (11), Geoff Ogilvy (15), Stuart Appleby (22), Adam Scott (39), Mathew Goggin (40), Rod Pampling (47), Aaron Baddeley (49), Peter Lonard (66), Nick O’Hern (75), Steve Elkington (85), John Senden (86), Tim Wilkinson NZL (92) and Nathan Green (113) as members of the 2009 US PGA TOUR after the 13 players retained their cards by finishing in the Final Top 125 on the US Tour this year, taking the total number of

Australasians who are currently members of the 2009 US PGA Tour to 19.

That number is likely to increase after the Final Stage of US TOUR Qualifying School to be held from December 3-8 in La Quinta, California.

Lyle finished at the top of the list of Australasians in 4th place after winning twice on the Nationwide Tour this season, followed by Greg Chalmers (8th), Aron Price (18) and Marc Leishman (19), all who tasted victory as the Aussies tallied up their most successful season yet with seven wins in total.

Also, winners on the Tour this season were Ewan Porter (41) and Gavin Coles (48) who finished in the Top 60 on the Money List and who have retained their Nationwide Tour cards for 2009, as has Won Joon Lee who finished 50th.

Villegas & Poulter to add flair and flamboyance to 2009 Johnnie Walker Classic

Perth, Western Australia; Tuesday, November 11, 2008; World number seven Camilo Villegas and Ian Poulter, ranked 25, will add a touch of flair and flamboyance to the 2009 JOHNNIE WALKER CLASSIC in Perth, Western Australia when Asia Pacific’s premier luxury golf event tees off  February 19 to 22 at The Vines Resort & Country Club.

Colombia’s Villegas, one of the most exciting young talents in the game today whose swashbuckling style has grabbed the attention of the golfing world in 2008, and Poulter, well known for his flamboyant dress sense both on and off the course, will line up alongside Englishmen Lee Westwood and Paul Casey as well as Australia’s Great White Shark, Greg Norman.

“The 2009 JOHNNIE WALKER CLASSIC field is shaping up to be one of the strongest and most colourful  we have ever had in the 19-year history of this prestigious tournament,” commented David Gates, Global Brand Director for JOHNNIE WALKER.

“With Villegas and Poulter joining a host of truly international golfing stars from the top echelons of the European, Asian and Australasian Tours, the action on the course in Perth is guaranteed to be highly competitive and extremely exciting. Combine this with the wonderful backdrop of Western Australia and the fantastic off-course entertainment that JOHNNIE WALKER traditionally organizes and we are in for another spectacular JOHNNIE WALKER CLASSIC.”

Western Australia Tourism Minister Dr Liz Constable said the strong field would be welcomed by Perth’s golf enthusiasts.

“The JOHNNIE WALKER CLASSIC has always been a favourite with locals and visitors alike and I’m sure, with the line-up set for 2009, it will be more popular than ever before,” Dr Constable said.

Over the past 18 years  the JOHNNIE WALKER CLASSIC has been played in eight different countries and 13 different golf clubs around the Asia Pacific region including China in 2005 and earlier this year, for the first time, India.

Golf legends and young guns at NSW Open

Monday, November 10. Anticipation is mounting as Australia’s golf legends and rising stars descend upon The Vintage and the Hunter Valley for the 2008 NSW Open starting Thursday.

The NSW Open is the final Von Nida Tour event for 2008 and will see the 2008 Von Nida Tour winner announced on Sunday afternoon.  

Golf legend and Seniors Order of Merit leader Rodger Davis will be arriving tonight and will be joined at The Vintage by Bob Shearer on Tuesday morning.  Rounding out the “Young Guns” entering the field and participating in The Open are 15 year old amateur qualifier Jake Higginbotton and Eisenhower Cup team members Rohan Blizard, Tim Stewart and Matthew Griffin.

Other legends participating in NSW Open week at The Vintage are World Golf Hall of Fame member Kel Nagle and 1991 British Open winner Ian Baker-Finch,

They, along with renowned Australian golfers Billy Dunk and Jack Newton will be joining other former NSW Open champions including Shearer, Davis, Terry Price and defending champion Jason Norris on Wednesday for the inaugural Legends Luncheon in the Vintage Members Lounge. 

Friday14th November will be the NSW Open Championship Gala and will feature the Team Challenge Pro-Am. Draw. The Team Challenge Pro-Am. is a Pebble Beach-style pro-am that is run alongside the Open. This year’s Team. Challenge Pro-Am. will be held during the final two rounds of the NSW Open – on Saturday and Sunday, 15 – 16 November. 

Featured amateurs for the Team Challenge Pro-Am. are legendary tennis professional John Newcombe and former Wallabies star Matt Burke.  Rod McGeoch will be the host and emcee for the special evening of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres under the stars.

Events NSW Proud Sponsor of NSW Open.

Queensland golfer Mike Ferguson has won the inaugural Greater Building Society Australian Masters Invitational at the Emerald Lakes Golf Club on the Gold Coast.

Hs final round 71 left him two shots clear of in form New Zealander Stuart Reese and tournament drawcard Ian Baker-Finch.
Ferguson earned $30,000 for his victory in the seniors event (50 plus) in addition to a brand new Yamaha golf cart valued at $10,000.

Ferguson has been a senior golfer for seven years but this is his first victory since the 2006 NZ Senior PGA Championship. In earlier years he won two Australian Senior Open Championships.

“This is totally unexpected,” he said after the win. “I picked up a new Nickent driver this week and it has been working great.” Ferguson made a fast start to the final round with four birdies in his first six holes and was matching strides with Reese who had made a similar start.

Reese, a former New Zealand PGA Champion, had previously given tournament golf away for 16 years after losing confidence in his swing. He was staging a big comeback and led the tournament after the first round with a stunning six under 66.

However, on the final day Ferguson drew clear over the closing stages as Reese dropped several shots in the middle of his back nine.  
Former British Open winner Ian Baker-Finch was delighted with his round and with the thrill of being in the hunt again. He came from a long way back with his final round of 68 and was one of only two players to break 70 in the increasingly difficult conditions.
“I felt like I was a player again,” said Baker-Finch. “The juices were flowing and while I know there are many could haves and should haves I truly felt the round could have been even better.”
New Zealander Craig Owen finished in a share of 4th with New South Welshman John Clifford.
In Thursday night’s Daikin Night Golf Shootout local golfer Brian Jones defeated one of his old sparring partners from his Japan Golf Tour days, Graham Marsh, and collected the first prize of $6,000. Ian Baker Finch dropped out at the 8th hole of the 9 hole contest when a chip off was required to determine the two players who would advance to the final hole.

FIFTY FOUR year old former New Zealand PGA Champion Stuart Reese gave tournament golf away for 16 years after losing all feel and confidence in his golf swing.

“I couldn’t even hit balls in front of my members, I was just too embarrassed,” the Club Peninsula Professional (NZ) says.

Now he has fought back with an opening round of six under par to lead the Greater Building Society Australian Masters Invitational at Emerald Lakes Golf Club.

The New Zealander took advantage of the pristine conditions to be three shots clear of his nearest competitors.
Reese has been battling his way back by making some dramatic mechanical and attitudinal changes to his game.

But he still doesn’t have full confidence in the adjustments yet after folding late last week in the Australian Senior Open.
Reese has showed some great form this week at Emerald Lakes Golf Club after winning the Sponsor Pro Am. His opening round on Thursday consisted of six birdies and no bogies. The senior professional said: “I didn’t play great but I’m happy with the score.”
Hardly a breath of wind was evident all day but despite the perfect scoring conditions some of the greatest names in Australian golf were finding that the Emerald lakes layout was proving a little more demanding than many had initially thought it might.

The overnight rain had made the course just a club or two longer and the scores were reflecting a more demanding layout than had been the case earlier in the week.
Local golfer Neil Wall shot a solid opening round in the morning of three under par 69 and was soon joined by three other players in Terry Price, Sydney club professional Greg Hohnen and Brisbane based professional Allan Cooper, to leave them trailing Reese by three.

While not officially a senior golfer, Price was granted a special invite to this event to assist in bolstering the strength of the field and took full advantage.
Price had an eagle, four birdies and three bogies and despite his score he self admittedly indicated was not at his best. He headed for the practice fairway looking to find the form the he feels he needs to stay on top of his older rivals this week. “There are several important weeks coming up and I need to get my game back in shape,” he added as he began to beat balls in the heat of the afternoon.
Price has now lost status on the European Tour after two years struggling with a leg broken in a bizarre accident in England. He has struggled to return to the level of fitness he needs to contend at the level he once did on a regular basis.
Wall on the other hand is a player who only turned professional at the age of 50 and six years later is beginning to record some very impressive performances in senior tour events in Queensland and elsewhere.

He recently won the Queensland Senior Open at Nudgee. Wall had done two years of a traineeship with Merv Ulhmann at the Oxley Golf Club in Brisbane before giving it away.

“They were long hours and the pay was only $12 a week and I decided to do other things. I wanted to turn professional again a little later in life but family commitments precluded that. At the age of 50 I decided it was now or never and have really enjoyed it since.”
Wall’s round consisted of five birdies and two bogies and he was quick to thank the people at Emerald Lakes for allowing him to practice there on a regular basis with his good friend Brian Jones in the lead up to the event.
Fifty-one-year-old Hohnen is the club professional at Killara Golf Club in Sydney’s north where he has been for the last 35 years. Hohnen played the Australasian Tour on occasions earlier in his career but on turning 50 he has begun to play more including ten or so senior tour events in 2008.

“The management at Killara have encouraged me to play events and I am really enjoying doing so. It was a very solid ball striking day, I think I hit 15 greens and was really happy with the way I played generally.”
Tournament drawcard Ian Baker-Finch opened with a round of even par.

“I am playing really nicely when I trust it but every once in a while I lose focus and don’t turn properly and a bad one comes out of nowhere normally a hybrid or a long iron,” said Baker-Finch after his round.

“The nice thing about it is that while I want to play well it is not as important as it once was if I don’t. The course played a little longer today with the overnight rain but the greens were great but my golf not so. “My goal was to shoot three 69’s which I thought would have been a good score so now I have to shoot something pretty low if I am to have a chance.”

(Original source material courtesy PGA of Australia)

New South Wales golfer Sylvia Donohoe has won her fifth Australian Women’s Senior Amateur Championship in convincing fashion at the Ulverstone Golf Club in Tasmania.

After two tough previous matches where she was taken to the 18th hole, Donohoe defeated Liz Smyth from the ACT 4/3.

Donohoe went into the back 9 two up after playing the front nine in even par, including an eagle on the par 5 six hole, after lipping out for albatross.

Donohoe’s finished the 15 holes at 1 over par.

Never one to show much emotion, Donohoe was thrilled with her win and shared the experience with her caddie Pat, and husband Graeme.

After the win she said: “I was focused today and I feel like I am getting better with age! The course was fantastic, you had to place your shots – you couldn’t just belt away”, she said.

Donohoe represented NSW six times in her younger days, but has never won the Australian Amateur Championship or the NSW Amateur Championship.

In the Flight Matches for the respective age divisions, NSW’s Annette Baggie defeated Dorothy Retschlag from Qld 4/2 after qualifying in the number one position in the New Age Flight.

The Veterans Flight was a close encounter between Carmel Smith from Qld and Lyn Hancock from WA, with Smith prevailing in the end 1 up.

In the Super Veterans Flight, Joyce Smith from Victoria had a comfortable win over Wendy Beattie from Qld 6/5. With this being Smith’s 21st year attending the Championship, it will be one she will certainly remember.

Smith adds this victory to her 44 years straight as Club Champion at her home club in Victoria, Mt Alexander.

Full Results

(Original Source: Courtesy Golf Australia)