Australian Senior Golfer

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

This page gives a state by state overview of veteran golf in Australian. For the latest veteran golf news and events see postings in the Events/Veteran Golf category.

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 National Championship is held in a different location. In August 2009 the championship will be held in Cairns.

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.

Dick Farrant: a moveable feast of veteran golf in NSW (This feature story gives a detailed overview of veteran golf in NSW)

Sydney Vets a golfing treat (This story gives a good overview of the Sydney Veteran Golfers Association

NSW Veteran Golfers Association website

Sydney Veteran Golfers Association

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

Gary Player kissed the turf as he left the 18th green after completing his second round in his record breaking appearance at the 208 US Masters.
The three time winner said he would be back next year after carding a 78, improving on his 83 in the first round.
“I went out today and said to myself, ‘If I can break 80, I’ll come back next year,” Player said.
The night before the final round, Player rang his South African protege and eventual winner Trevor Immelman to tell him he was sure he was going to take out the title.
US television network commentator Nick Faldo made much of the fact that Player had previously expressed the view that Immelman had a swing the closest he had seen to the great Ben Hogan.
The network also displayed a photo of Player holding a five year old Immelman in his arms.
Player left an overnight voice message for Immelman saying: “Take your time and keep your eyes on the ball for an extra second on the putts. There will be bad breaks but I know you will win.”