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.

Veteran golfer Greg Norman was obviously feeling a little battered and bruised after the Senior PGA Championship in Rochester, New York.

At one stage in the final round consecutive birdies on 12, 13 and 14 left the Shark lurking within one shot of the lead.

But, making his first start on the Champions Tour since 2005, Norman’s Sunday charge of four birdies in five holes on the back nine unravelled.

He hit a double bogey on 17 and a bogey at 18 to finish three shots behind 54 year old winner Jay Haas.

“Not feeling very good right now, I can tell you that,” Norman said later. “But I think that when I made birdie on 15, 16, I thought then - I always thought I was too far behind the leaders and it didn’t make any difference. But it was nice to a point, right up until 17 and 18.”

Norman admitted he found it a tough course.

“It takes a lot out of you. I’ve done this for 35 years of my life and you just it’s hard enough as it is, especially on a course like this,” he said.

As we reported before the tournament (Greg Norman’s new lease of life), thanks largely to the influence of fiancée Chris Evert and 22 year old son Gregory Norman, the Shark for the first time in a few years has increased his playing schedule and is inspired to be back on the world golf stage.

To take more out of his performance in Rochester, Norman was the most consistent scorer with rounds of 72, 73, 72 and 73.

All those before him had at least a small blow out at some stage, with even winner Haas carding a final 74, saved by his first round 69.

Forever the fighter, Norman responded typically when asked at the post tournament media conference if the result might make him change his stated mindset to play more competitive golf, which incidentally includes the upcoming British Open.

“It might go back the other way,” he said defiantly.

Greg Norman: Shock! Horror! Life After 50

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One senior Australian golfer back in the news and back on the competitive golf course is Greg Norman.

 For a number of reasons, the 53 year old has found a new lease of golfing life.

 As we write this, Norman is set for his second straight event in the US and plans a number of tournaments in the coming months, including the British Open in July.

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.

Sweden’s Annika Sorenstam was showered with the sponsors product (beer) after winning the Michelob Ultra Championship in Virginia by seven shots.
Australian Katherine Hull, who started the day tied for 21st, produced an amazing Albatross when she hit a 3-wood 229 yards on the par 5 seventh. Her career best 64 lifted her to sixth place.
Karrie Webb was 38th, Sarah Kemp and Lindsey Wright 57th

VICTORIAN golfer Chris Tatt has won the 2008 Bendigo Bank Cobram-Barooga Seniors Championship, the latest Australian Senior Order of Merit event.

Tatt, a former Australian representative golfer, finished three strokes ahead of fellow Victorian David MacDonald.

Third place was shared by Russell Rogers (NSW), with his best Order of Merit finish, and consistent Victorian performer Michael Jackson.

Local senior golfer Ross Percy finished in fifth spot and in sixth place there was a three way tie between current Order of Merit leader Rick Oliver (NSW), Denis Dale (NSW) and Vince Clark (NSW).

Defending champion Bill Banks finished ninth.

Photos courtesy of Graeme Altmann and AUSOOM

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.

(Update: See the Adelaide championship results story here)

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

 Bill got a call from the coroner, who wanted to talk about his wife’s recent death. Bill told him the whole sad story. “We were on the third hole. Sally, my wife, was standing on the ladies tee about 30 yards ahead of the men’s box when I hit my drive. From the sound when the ball hit her head and the way she dropped like a rock, I knew immediately that she was dead. God only knows where the ball wound up.”

The coroner replied: “That explains the injury to her head, but what about the Maxfli embedded in her rectum?”

“Oh,” said Bill. “That was my provisional.”

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Somewhere in Scotland