‘Tough’ South Australian senior amateurs battle winter in Sandy Creek

SA Seniors Brave Winter to Travel to Sandy Creek

Monday 1^st of June – first day of winter and the forecast included a Severe Weather Warning for the location, 15.4 degrees – feels like 6.7, 3-10mm with showers increasing + windy !!

They’re a tough lot the SA seniors and 44 players fronted. Sandy Creek is located at the gateway to the Barossa Valley some 62 kms from the CBD so well done to all who made the effort !

(Your correspondent was “soft” and stayed home so thanks to Angela Masters for details of the day).

Surprisingly the day turned out to be mainly fine although very windy.  Part of the course saw hail but fortunately it was isolated.  At times when the sun snuck out for a peek it was quite humid especially if you were in a wind proof area.

Into the wind holes played very long. Birdies were rare and scores reflected the challenge of the day. Tony Nobbs had a hole in one on the Men’s NTP hole. Tony has been out of action for some months with a shoulder injury, missing all of the Simpson Cup pennant season, so a great fillip for a very popular regular contender.

The course was in particularly good condition and, being sand based, dry underfoot so well done to the volunteers who maintain the course.  Sandy Creek’s Manager Bec Hoffman-Davis and her husband Mark prepared a BBQ and Sandy Francas dealt with all the registration details.  They were fantastic and Sandy did the presentations as quickly as possible.   Leftover BBQ was still available if those who wanted more! A very enjoyable day and quite a few stayed for presentations. (As soon as players were in the club house the weather turned really wet and nasty so made for a wet dark drive back to Adelaide).

Senior/Super Senior Women

Amanda Heapy (The Vines of Reynella) was the only one of the leaders in the SOOM to make the trip and was rewarded by a win in both the Gross and Nett (87/77). Super Senior Angela Masters (Blackwood) and Tonia Ross (Glenelg) were equal second in the Gross with 90’s.

Another Blackwood member, Jill Walter (78) and Susan Olsen (Grange) (79) filled the Nett placings.

Senior Men

Three wins in a row for Paul Gregory (The Vines) (78/76) but sharing the win with Stuart Kopania (The Gums) also 78/76). As forecast previously Stuart’s a contender for SOOM honours this season.

Tony Nobbs (The Vines) (80/77) was third in both the Gross and Nett.

Super Senior Men

Welcome back to the winner’s circle for Mike Richards (Tea Tree Gully). Mike’s has won multiple events and his SOOM section numerous times in addition to a great career in State and Pennant golf (Simpson Cup games record holder). 

Michael hasn’t been happy with his form this year despite continually being in the placings and his score of 81/74 saw him win both the Gross and Nett.

Local Steve Brown (82/78) got him second in the Gross and Nett. Geoff Ashby, a very long way from home at Wirrina Cove on SA’s Fleurieu Peninsula was third in the Gross (86).

Steve Brown’s 78 in the Nett was matched by Craig Morriosn (Tea Tree Gully) and George Cleland (Blackwood).