THE 2009 Veteran Golfers National Championships has proved a huge success with Adelaide senior golfer Colin Angel taking the title in a tense final day struggle with Cairns local Ian Cooke.

The one stroke victory at the 54 hole championship in Cairns highlighted a week of veteran golf that delighted organisers and participants.

Tournament Director Claud Clark said 327 men and 95 ladies contested their respective events and the turnaround from the championship in Adelaide last year reflected the success of an intensive marketing campaign.

Claud Clark reports:

The Bendigo Bank Veteran Golfers National Championships provided one of the closest and most dramatic finals in the history of the event.

Going into the final day Ian Cooke of Cairns Golf Club led the two time championship winner Colin Angel from the Grange Club in Adelaide by one stroke.

Playing in the same group both had pars for the first two holes but Cooke stumbled with a bogey on the third while the consistent Angel responded with a par to level the scores.

Cooke bogeyed  the fourth which gave Angel a one shot lead but Cooke responded with  a brilliant birdie at the sixth to again square the match.  In a matchplay type atmosphere the players went stroke for stroke until the tenth when the consistent Angel moved to a one shot advantage.

Fighting hard Cooke birdied the twelfth and thirteenth to secure a one shot lead in the Championship with five holes to play. Angel squared the match on the 15th and a two shot turnaround at the 16th gave Angel a two shot lead with two holes to play.

Cooke again produced a birdie on the 18th but the experienced and classy Colin Angel held on to claim his third National title with a narrow one stoke win.

After the game Angel gave high praise to Ian Cooke and said he was confident the Cairns player had the game and the temperament to eventually win the National Championship.

Cairns won its first ever National title with Sam Lemura winning the Nett Championship and the prestigious Vic Kendall trophy with a clear four shot lead over Chris Hollands from Kiama Club in NSW.

Ray Miller from Half Moon Bay shared the lead after day two of the event but could not hold on and Lemura took full advantage of playing his home course on the final day to secure a clear win with a nett score of 212.

B Grade was won by Young Kim of Asquith ( NSW ) with an impressive score of 253 from Geoff Lavis of Wanneroo Club ( WA ) and C grade was won by Harold Lovelock representing Redland Bay (QLD) from John Corr of Port Kembla ( NSW ).

The ladies staged a stableford event with Siobhan Davies from Club Pelican ( QLD ) winning the A Grade with 68 points on a countback from Elaine Woodard representing Mt. Lawley Club ( WA ).

B Grade Ladies was won by Kaye Roberts from Rockingham ( WA ) on 75 points from Marjorie Carter representing the Western Australia Golf Club on 69 points.

Members of the National Executive and players gave high praise for the event which many rated the best they had ever attended.

VETERAN GOLFERS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS

54 Hole Gross Winner and Champion for 2009  -  COLIN ANGEL    The Grange Club  S.A.          230

54 Hole Gross Runner up                                     -  IAN COOKE         Cairns Golf Cub    QLD        231

54 Hole Nett  Winner                                           -  SAM  LEMURA   Half Moon Bay GC   QLD     212

54 Hole Nett Winner A Grade                              -  CLIVE HOLLANDS    Kiama GC       NSW       216

54 Hole Nett  Runner up  A Grade                       -  JAMES  CORDERY  Southern GC    Vic.            217

54 Hole Gross Winner   B Grade                          -  YOUNG  KIM     Asquith  GC    NSW                 253

54 Hole Gross  Runner up B Grade                       -   GEOFF  LAVIS  Wanneroo GC   WA                 259

54 Hole Nett  Winner  B  Grade                            -   MAT  SCHLOTTERBACH  Club Pelican  QLD 222 c/b

54 Hole Nett  Runner up B Grade                          -  JOE ALEXANDER   Nedlands GC   WA             222

54 Hole Gross Winner  C Grade                            -   HAROLD  LOVELOCK  Redland Bay QLD       275

54 Hole Gross Runner up C Grade                         -  JOHN  CORR    Port Kembla  GC     NSW           276 c/b

54 Hole Nett  Winner  C Grade                               - TOM  TWIBLE  Wynnum GC     QLD                  214

54 Hole Nett  Runner up C Grade                           - GARRY  CARTER   Western Australia GC   WA  217

Ladies Results

36 Hole Ladies Stableford A Grade Winner            -  SIOBHAN  DAVIES  Club Pelican  QLD  68 pts C/B

36 Hole Ladies Stableford A Grade Runner up       -  ELAINE  WOODARD  Mt. Lawley GC  WA  68 pts.

36 Hole Ladies Stableford B Grade Winner            -  KAYE  ROBERTS   Rockingham  WA   75 pts.

36 hole Ladies Stableford B Grade Runner up        -  MARJORIE  CARTER  Western Australia GC 69 pts.

MICHAEL SIM has won an instant promotion to the US PGA Tour after claiming his third Nationwide Tour victory at the Christmas in October Classic.

The 24 year old West Australian, considered one of the hottest young prospects on the world golf scene, posted rounds of 65, 67,65 & 67 for a total of 20 under 264,  claiming  the inaugural event by two shots.

He is the first player on the Nationwide Tour to have topped the half million dollar mark.

Going into the event Sim had dominated the Nationwide Tour in 2009 with two victories, a second place and seven top ten results from 11 events.

His performance on the weekend saw him post 22 birdies and just two bogeys in 72 holes to finish two shots ahead of American Josh Teater with fellow American Michael Clark II third another two shots back.

The victory gives Sim an instant promotion to the PGA TOUR this year and will make him fully exempt on Tour next year.

He also collected $112,500 to boost his earnings to $527,079 and break Troy Matteson’s single-season record of $495,009 set in 2005.

Sim has eclipsed the record in just 12 starts and is averaging a whopping $43,923 for every week he tees it up.

“It’s very relieving,” said Sim, who collected his second win at the BMW Charity Pro-Am in mid-May. “I’d been in this position before and I wasn’t able to get it done. I tried to stay in the moment as best I could. In Omaha I found it really difficult to stay focused on the last day. Fortunately I learned how to deal with those distractions. I did everything right today.”

Sim becomes the ninth player in Tour history to earn the promotion to the PGA TOUR and the first to do so since his US housemate fellow Aussie Nick Flanagan accomplished the feat two years ago.

Sim’s year has been nothing short of outstanding. His three victories at the BMW Charity Pro-Am Classic, the Stonebrae Classic and now the Christmas in October Classic are the icing on the cake after he also claimed a runner up, third and fourth place finish.

He has held the number one place on the Money List since April and created a Tour-record $211,136 advantage over the number two placed player, making history on the way by being the first Nationwide Tour member to crack the world top 100 on May 18.

He made his Major debut at the US Open and if that wasn’t enough, Sim enjoyed a dream come true for any young golfer when he was paired with World Number one Tiger Woods for the final day. In a reflection of the growth and maturity he has shown in 2009, Sim held his own and finished a creditable 18th at the event at Bethpage GC.

He followed up his Open debut with his maiden appearance at the final Major for the year last week at the USPGA Championship, finishing in a tie for 51st place.

The victory puts Sim in a bit of a holding pattern. The PGA TOUR schedule begins an extended run for the playoffs and the FedExCup and Sim isn’t eligible to play for at least the next five weeks.

“I might go home to Australia or I might just keep my schedule on this Tour until it’s time for me to play one on the big Tour,” he said. “It’s a good problem to have.”

AUSTRALIA’S richest event for senior golfers, the $300,000 Handa Australian Senior Open will move to Perth for the first time this October.

After two years at Concord Golf Club in Sydney, the prestigious event is expected to attract a field of 100 “Legends” of international golf – including senior newbie Peter Senior - to Royal Perth Golf Club in South Perth from 23-25 October.

Senior qualified when he turned 50 recently and he will be joined in the 54 hole event by an impressive line-up including Wayne Grady, Peter Fowler, Rodger Davis, Terry Gale, Michael Clayton, Michael Harwood, Brian Jones and Ossie Moore.

Sponsor and founder, Japanese businessman and philanthropist Haruhisa Handa, said he was thrilled to have the event played in Perth, in addition to the Handa Open and Handa Junior Masters tournament held at The Vines earlier this May.

“It was a perfect fit to bring the Senior Open event to Perth, giving golf fans access to the two highest profile senior events on the Australian golfing calendar,” Dr Handa said.

“I am passionate about nurturing senior golf both in Australia and internationally where it has not always enjoyed the opportunity it deserves.”

“I am committed to ensuring that both of these senior events have a long and prosperous future showcasing the talents of some of the greatest male and female golfers ever to play the game.”

Dr Handa is also a generous supporter and avid campaigner for Blind Golf globally and locally in Australia. Along with the two senior events, Dr Handa will also once again sponsor the Australian Blind Golf Championship in Perth to be played before the Handa Australia Cup on 28-29 October.

A first for Peter Senior

This year’s Handa Australian Senior Open will mark Peter Senior’s first official outing in the Legends Tour.

“Peter’s form is particularly good and I know he’s looking forward to taking on two-time Australian Senior Open Champion Wayne Grady on Australian soil,” said Tournament Chairman Wayne Smith.

“It will also mark Peter Fowler’s Australian ‘Senior’ debut after joining the Legend ranks in June this year.”

The Handa Australian Senior Open will be followed by a Pro-Am on Monday, 26 October.

Peter’s Debut Australian Senior Open Championship 

Harwood takes the candy in classic finish

HAZELTINE NATIONAL GC: CHASKA, MINNESOTA: South Korean Y.E.Yang has become the first Asian born player to win a Major Championship outplaying world number one Tiger Woods to claim the 2009 USPGA Championship at the Hazeltine National Golf Club.

In his eighth Major Championship appearance the 37 year old father of two shot a final round two under par 70 to come from two shots behind overnight and claim the title from Woods by three shots. He becomes the first player to beat Woods in a Major Championship when Woods has led or shared the lead going into the final round.

Woods shot a final round two over par 72 to finish outright second followed by Lee Westwood (70) and young Irish star Rory McIlroy (70) who claimed third place on three under with Lucas Glover a further shot back and outright fifth.

World number 110 coming into the event, Yang moves just outside the world top 30 with the win, his second for the year after he claimed the 2009 Honda Classic in March. His battle with Woods took a dramatic turn when he eagled the par four 14^th hole in spectacular style chipping out of the bunker to go one shot ahead with four holes to play. An uncharacteristic bogey from the world number one at the 17^th hole saw Yang head to the 18^th with a one shot buffer. Unlike many before him paired with Woods, the 2007 HSBC Champions winner and five time Japan Tour victor kept his cool with a sensational approach shot that just missed the hole leaving him with a birdie putt to win as Tigers effort ran past the hole. 

A delighted Yang fist pumped the air and raised his bag in triumph.

“You never know in life, this might be my last win as a golfer but it sure is a great day!” said the likeable champion who only took up golf at the age of 19.

“It’s going to be a big foundation for me to continue playing at the top level. It just means the world right now. It hasn’t really sunken in but I do know the significance of it.”

For Woods, it was an unfamiliar experience but he made no excuses. His total of 33 putts today was the highest for his four rounds.

“I hit the ball so much better than my score indicates. I hit it great all day,” said Woods. It was just a terrible day on the greens. I either misread the putt or had bad putts. I didn’t make anything except for the 14^th hole. I think it was the only putt I made all day.”

 “I was certainly in control of the tournament for most of the day. I hit the ball great off the tee, hit my irons well. I did everything I needed to do except for getting the ball in the hole.”

“I played well enough to win the championship but I didn’t putt well enough to win the Championship.”

Aussie Brendan Jones Devastated

For the Australasian contingent it was a disappointing tournament as Brendan Jones and Robert Allenby finished the best of the 15 strong contingent in a tie for 24^th place.

A devastated Jones was on the verge of tears after a final round five over par saw him drop from a tie for eighth place overnight. Beginning the final day on two under and just four shots off the lead, Jones was still four shots behind at the turn, but in what he described as a nightmare, he recorded six bogeys in his final nine holes.

“I cannot describe to you how I feel, I have never been so disappointed after a round of golf in my life. I am just standing here a shattered man,” said Jones.

“I wasn’t playing poorly and that is the thing that is getting to me. I didn’t play any worse than I did the first 11 holes.”

“Everything was going the wrong way. I just butchered hole after hole. I feel like I should have shot five under out there today and here I am shooting five over and that’s hard to take.”

Allenby Disappointed

 It was a similar scenario for Allenby who came into the event on the back of a runner up finish at last week’s WGC Bridgestone Invitational. His first round of 69 set him up well but subsequent second and third rounds of 75 set him right back. His final round even par round was little consolation.

“Obviously I came into this week full of a lot of confidence but just a few miss hits on Friday and Saturday were quite costly really,” said Allenby.

“I’m disappointed because after the first round I was there and then fell away, but you know, that’s golf, you just keep moving on and keep trying.“

World number eight Geoff Ogilvy finished three shots further back after an even par final round 72.

“I’m pretty disappointed,” said the 2006 US Open Champion. “I felt like I was playing alright. I didn’t make enough putts and got frustrated. We all know how to make putts because we’ve all done it before. I just have to get back there somehow.”

The youngest of the Australasian contingent Michael Sim faired the best in the final round recording four birdies on the back nine to finish with a final round one under 71 and seven over for the tournament. 

Sim, the money leader on the 2009 Nationwide Tour made his Major debut this year at the US Open where he finished T18 after playing the final round with Tiger Woods and made his USPGA debut this week in what has been a big year for the 24 year old.

“It’s my second Major and it’s just a big learning curve, I was lucky enough to make the cut,” said Sim who needs just one more win on the Nationwide Tour this season to gain an immediate promotion to the USPGA Tour.

“It would have been nice to get into contention but my game hasn’t probably been in the right place probably the last three tournaments. I had my coach David Milne here this week and we worked on a few things and I think next week could be a good week for me.”

Victorian Richard Green closed with a three over 75 to finish nine over the card and in a tie for 60^th place with Nathan Green a further shot back and tied 60^th. New Zealand’s David Smail shot a final round 76 to finish 11 over for the tournament.

Australasian Scores:

WINNER: Y.E.YANG (SOUTH KOREA) 73, 70, 67, 70, 280 (-8)

T24   Brendan Jones   71, 70, 73, 77, 291 (+3)

T24   Robert Allenby   69, 75, 75, 72, 291 (+3)

T43   Geoff Ogilvy       71, 73, 78, 72, 294 (+6)

T51   Michael Sim       73, 75, 76, 71, 295 (+7)

T60   Richard Green   75, 73, 74, 75, 297 (+9)

T63   Nathan Green    72, 75, 76, 75, 298 (+10)

T67   David Smail       75, 73, 75, 76, 299 (+11)

Missed Cut

Stuart Appleby 74, 75, 149 (+5)

Matthew Goggin 69, 80, 149 (+5)

Aaron Baddeley 76, 73, 149 (+5)

Steve Elkington 75, 75, 150 (+6)

John Senden 73, 77, 150 (+6)

Rod Pampling 74, 78, 152 (+8)

Michael Campbell 80, 79, 159 (+15)

Adam Scott 82, 79, 161 (+17)

DON’T look now and certainly don’t get out your cameras. He’s back!

Yes, it has just been confirmed mercurial John Daly will be playing championship golf in Australia again this summer.

So far it I just the 2009 Australian PGA Championship at the Hyatt Regency Coolum in Queensland from December 10 to 13, but the other major Australian tournaments are odds on to follow*.

(*Golf Australia subsequently announced nn August 18 that Daly would play in the 2009 Australian Open.)

Whatever people think of his camera throwing antics at the Australian Open last year, Daly helped get golf on the front and back pages and attracted big crowds.

He’ll do that again, and he’s a lot less expensive than Tiger Woods.

So now we have the Australian Masters in Melbourne pushing Tiger Woods, Sydney pushing Greg Norman and Queensland perhaps appropriately pushing the colourful Daly.

Daly is one of the great characters of golf. Of late he has been carving himself a new image, having lost 20 kilos and added blonded hair and a whole lot of outlandish clothing.

Announcing the commitment today, the PGA of Australia said last year Daly helped to generate record crowds for what is Australia’s oldest professional event.

 “John has a long history with the Australian PGA Championship and is exceptionally popular with the Sunshine Coast fans,” said Max Garske, CEO of the PGA of Australia.

“It is wonderful that John continues to support our event, and we are extremely excited to welcome him back yet again this year.”

This year will mark the third occasion in which Daly has played the Sunshine Coast tournament, although 2009 will bring with it a new challenge following the redesign of the Hyatt Regency Coolum course and the addition of six new and exciting holes.

“I am very much looking forward to play again in the PGA Championship and to see the course changes in Coolum,” said Daly yesterday.

The Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola will be played at the Hyatt Regency Coolum on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast from December 10-13, and will be the final leg of the 2009 OneAsia Super Series.

Update Wednesday, September 9: Daly Withdraws from Aussie Tour

Big John Daly has been forced to cancel his Australian appearances later this year after a recurring rib injury has seen him sidelined for the remainder of 2009.

Daly, who recently announced his intention to play both the Australian Open and the Australian PGA Championship in December revealed today (9/9/09) his disappointment at having to cancel his trip to Australia after the injury which he initially suffered at the 2007 Honda Classic flared up and required a surgical procedure last week. 

THE PGA OF AUSTRALIA has joined forces with the PGA’s of the US, Great Britain and Ireland to establish a new international alliance aimed at growing golf globally.

The organisation announced today it had entered into a new World PGA Alliance it said was a significant step for world golf

The World PGA Alliance will work to further promote the interests of the 56,000 PGA Professionals and more than 22,000 PGA member golf facilities worldwide.

Born from the third annual World PGA Conference conducted in Sydney in April 2008, the alliance has been formed to establish and guide teaching, playing and educational standards for the golf profession in developing golf territories and shared best practices in player development for adults and youth.

The alliance is led by the chief executives of The PGA’s of Australia, America and Great Britain & Ireland, while the PGA’s of Canada, Europe, Germany, Japan, South Africa, and Sweden are also alliance members.

“The PGA of Australia is proud to be part of the World PGA Alliance and join forces with its international colleagues in the interest of PGA members globally,” said Max Garske, CEO of the PGA of Australia. 

“This alliance will open up significant opportunities for PGA members both in Australia and internationally, and will act as a catalyst for the establishment of many more significant global golf industry initiatives into the future.”

Speaking at the launch of the announcement from the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills Golf Club in Michigan, Jim Remy, President of the PGA of America said the Alliance is a significant step for world golf.

“The PGA of America is proud to join its global colleagues in golf in forming the World PGA Alliance, which is an outgrowth of the universal respect that the game of golf holds across cultural and language barriers,” said Remy.

“The Alliance is vital to the continued growth of the game and business of golf in emerging golf territories and will reinforce the numerous roles fulfilled by the PGA Professionals in instruction, player development and the business of golf.”

Also in attendance at the launch of the alliance, Geoff Scott, Chairman of the PGA of Australia added, “the PGA of Australia is the most recognisable and respected golf brand in the rapidly expanding Asia-Pacific region, and is recognised as an industry leader that delivers the highest standards across all its programs.”

“The establishment of the World PGA Alliance aligns the PGA of Australia with two other immensely powerful entities, further enhancing the value of PGA brand while simultaneously increasing opportunities for PGA Members globally.”

The first formal meeting of the new Alliance will be held during the 2010 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Florida and will include a global symposium on junior golf.

THE Australian Masters has announced a multi-year broadcast partnership with the Nine Network and FOX SPORTS.

In 2009, Nine will broadcast live coverage from Kingston Heath Golf Club on each of the four days with FOX SPORTS also providing live coverage on pay television.

Nine will also incorporate The Today Show into its Australian Masters coverage, featuring interviews with key players and showcasing the world class course at Kingston Heath.

Tickets Almost Sold Out

It was also announced today tickets for the event have almost sold out, including all Saturday and Sunday tickets and all premium grandstand seating. Limited tickets are available for other days.

Commenting on the broadcasting partnership, David Rollo, Vice President-Director of Golf, IMG Australia said: “Nine and FOX SPORTS have a rich history of broadcasting world class sporting events and IMG is thrilled to enter into this partnership.  The change program and vision we set out for the Masters late last year is being realised and based on the unprecedented interest this will be Australia’s hottest sporting ticket this coming summer. 

“As we fully expect the event to be a sell out, fans disappointed not to have secured a ticket will still have the opportunity to experience the event on Nine and FOX SPORTS.”

Jeffrey Browne, Executive Director of the Nine Network, said it was exciting to welcome such a high profile event to Nine’s Wide World of Sports.

Robert Allenby is one of the latest to confirm he will be competing in the event. He will join a growing list including world number one Tiger Woods, Geoff Ogilvy, Adam Scott. Aaron Baddeley, Stuart Appleby, Mathew Goggin, John Senden, Greg Chalmers, James Nitties, Michael Sim and reigning champion Rod Pampling.

Victorian Tourism and Major Events Minister Tim Holding said organisers now expect more than 100,000 people to attend the Masters, to be held at Kingston Heath 12 – 15 November.

 “The 2009 Australian Masters will boost tourism, create jobs and generate up to $19 million for the Victorian economy further cementing our reputation as the major events capital of the world,” Mr Holding said.

“Tiger Woods playing in Melbourne is a great coup for our city and is proving to be a huge drawcard for tourists from around Australia and the world.

 “These tickets sales are unprecedented for a golf event in Australia with over 90 per cent of tickets sold three months out from the event - there are less than 100 season tickets remaining, 1000 general admission passes for Saturday and around 3000 for the opening day.

“Over 35 per cent of tickets sold to date have being purchased from interstate or overseas providing a significant tourism benefit for Victoria. Drawing visitors to Victoria and beaming Melbourne to a global audience is exactly what our major events strategy aims to achieve.

“The Brumby Labor Government and the Australian Masters have worked together to ensure tickets are affordable with general admission tickets for the remaining days only $44.”

David Rollo said with the tournament almost sold out he expected great demand for tickets to the practice day and Pro-Am event.

For more information on the Australian Masters visit www.australianmasters.com.au

AUSTRALIAN Robert Allenby has finished in a tie for second as world number one Tiger Woods took his record seventh World Golf Championship Bridgestone Invitational title.

Thanks to a new putting grip, Allenby is a new and confident man on the greens and that helped him to a final round four under 66 in Akron, Ohio.

Woods claimed the USD$8.5 million event by four shots from Allenby and overnight leader and playing partner Padraig Harrington, who imploded with a disastrous triple bogey eight on the 16th.

It was Woods’ 70th career PGA victory and at the age of 33, seven months and 10 days he is now third on the all time list behind Sam Snead (82) and Jack Nicklaus (73), who were both into their forties when they achieved those milestones.

For Allenby, It emerged at the tournament last week that he had softened his stance on threats never to play another Australian event, with the confirmation he would be joining Woods contesting the Australian Masters at Kingston Heath in his home-town of Melbourne in November.

He also didn’t rule out playing at the Australian PGA Championship or even the Australian Open, where comments at the “party hole” started all the “I’ll never play in Australia again” stories.

Following Allenby for his entire final round at the Open at Royal Sydney last year two things were very apparent.

Firstly that whatever he was saying later, he did get heaps of spectator support and before it became controversial later, we noted all the “C’mon Robert” calls from the crowd. (Admittedly, with the din of the party hole we couldn’t hear any of the alleged comments relating to his mother’s cancer that upset the apple cart.)

Secondly, as everyone (and the statistics) were always saying, he was a great ball striker let down miserably by his putting.

Anyone, we thought, would feel shitty missing that many birdie putts.

Now, the 38 year old Australian seems to have found a new lease on life, after following advice from Vijay Singh last month to try the so called claw putting grip.

An all smiling Allenby said his Bridgestone performance this week was his best since winning the triple-crown in Australia in 2005.

“I putted well all four rounds of the British Open and so I thought let’s see what happens this week,” he said after recording his best result this year. “It’s definitely rejuvenated my game that’s for sure.”

 “It’s funny, when you feel good with the putter the rest of your game starts clicking. The putter feels fantastic. I’ve got a lot of confidence with it and now I’m just excited to get out there and play next week.”

When asked about his prospect for a win soon, Allenby replied, “I think there’s no if’s in it, it’s just when, you know it feels good, feels great!”

 As for the rest of the Australians in the field, Mat Goggin, competing in the event for the first time, continued with the form that saw him finish the best of the Australians at the British Open at Turnberry two weeks ago. 

After working with coach Dale Lynch on making adjustments to his swing Goggin’s score improved each day this week. He admitted the swing change took some getting used to but that he was pleased with the way he was hitting off the tee and with his form heading into the USPGA Championship next week. 

 “I drove the ball quite well, I was really pleased,” said Goggin, who finished T22 after a final round two under 68.

“It took me a day or two to get a feel for it (the swing change) and once I got the playing feel it felt comfortable. I feel like I hit the ball as well as I’ve hit it all year, on the weekend, so that’s encouraging.”

Geoff Ogilvy bogeyed six holes in his final round to finish on three over for the day. His up and down round of 73 also included four birdies but he never seemed to find his rhythm. It was a disappointing day for the world number eight as he fell from a tie for fifteenth overnight to finish alongside Goggin in a tie for 22nd. 

Adam Scott was another whose form improved as the tournament went on. A disastrous first round 78 had him on the back foot from day one but the 28 year old Queenslander was happy with his driving which had him ranked fourth for the tournament after recording following rounds of 67, 71 and 70.

“I got off to a bad start on Thursday so I’ve been playing against myself ever since,” said Scott who most recently finished fourth at the Scottish Open.  “I did play well the last three days so I feel my game is in good shape.”

“It’s nice to be finally striking the ball the way I remember I can because I struggled so much with my ball striking this year.”

For other Australasians in the field, Nick O’Hern had a disappointing final round 75 to finish five over for the tournament followed by Scott, New Zealand’s Danny Lee and Stuart Appleby who finished a further shot back and T51st. Nathan Green closed with an even par 70 to finish at nine over par. 

AUSTRALASIAN RESULTS:

T2 RobertAllenby 68, 69, 69, 66 – 272 (-8)

T22 Mat Goggin 73, 71, 68, 68 – 206 (E)

T22 Geoff Ogilvy 69, 71, 67, 73 – 280 (E)

T45 Nick O’Hern 72, 67, 71, 75 – 285 (+5)

T51 Danny Lee NZL 68, 73, 75, 70 – 285 (+6)

T51 Adam Scott 78, 67, 71, 70 – 286 (+6)

T51 Stuart Appleby 74, 68, 69, 75 – 286 (+6)

T64 Nathan Green 74, 71, 74, 70 - 289 (+9)

TOP NSW senior golfer Denis Dale has won the inaugural The Grange Senior Championship in blustery conditions in South Australia.

Strong winds on both days of the amateur championship didn’t allow for low scoring but Dale showed all his class and experience to beat South Australian John Beaumont by two strokes.

Dale is a two time winner of the Australian Senior Championship and has also twice won the Australian Senior Order of Merit.

Queenslander Ken Glasson was third with West Australian Nigel Goodall a further stroke back.

Winds gusting to 40 knots meant wild and woolly conditions for competitors.
The Grange Golf Club is one of South Australia’s premier sporting venues with two internationally rated 18 hole golf courses.
The Grange has previously hosted major professional events including the West Lakes Classic, South Australian Open and PGA events. The Club has also hosted all major Australian Amateur events including the Australian Amateur and Interstate Team Australian Junior as well as Australian Lady Amateur events.

Final Results:

1      155      DALE Denis 77 - 78 NSW
2      157      BEAUMONT John 79 - 78 SA
3      160      GLASSON Ken 80 - 80 QLD
4      161      GOODALL Nigel 80 - 81 WA
5      164      ELLIOTT Lindsay 82 - 82 SA, BULLAS Alan 83 - 81 VIC
                   SCOPACASA Joe 85 - 79 SA
8      166      GILES Pat 84 - 82 VIC, WHITFORD Chris 84 - 82 SA, READ Ian 85 - 81 QLD
                   MAZZONE Tony 87 - 79 SA

GEOFF OGILVY, Adam Scott, Aaron Baddeley, John Senden and Greg Chalmers have all confirmed they will be joining Greg Norman when the Australian Open takes to the cliffs of La Perouse in December.

It should be a magnificent tournament with Ogilvy, current world number eight, heading the charge for the Stonehaven Cup.

Former world number three Scott could also play a big role.

His form has been improving of late and he will be gunning to do well after missing the Open last year due to a beach incident knee injury.

The Shark has been thereabout of late and we at least know he has been getting some consistent big tournament conditioning with three back to back appearances at the British Open, Senior British Open and US Senior Open.

John Senden (2006 Winner) and Greg Chalmers have also recently shown their class, taking the fight up to Tiger Woods as both finished in a tie for second place at the Buick Open at the weekend.

Ogilvy is keenly chasing his first Open title, but broke through to claim his maiden win on home soil at the Australian PGA Championship last year.

”I am looking forward to returning to Sydney in my quest to win the Australian Open,” he said from the US.

“It’s great to have Greg (Norman) playing again as he adds so much to the championship. The NSW Golf Club will certainly test the players with the strong ocean breezes.”

Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt says there are now 11 Australians in the world’s Top 100 and this will give the 2009 Australian Open incredible depth and added excitement for the fans.

Pitt said it again proved that the hottest talents in Australian golf wanted to compete at their national open.

“We are committed to having our best Australian golfers play at New South Wales Golf Club on the stunning cliffs at La Perouse.”

The Open will be held at the NSW Golf Club from December 3-6.

Australians in World Top 100 as at Tuesday 4 August, 2009:

1. Geoff Ogilvy 8
2. Robert Allenby 42
3. Adam Scott 44
4. Matthew Goggin 49
5. Brendan Jones 61
6. Aaron Baddeley 75
7. Michael Sim 81
8. Rod Pampling 83
9. John Senden 89
10. Stuart Appleby 90
11. Richard Green 95