JOHN ANDERSON wraps up the closing events of the 2026 South Australian Senior Order of Merit season, including the South Australian Senior Amateur Championship and rounds at the Grange/Kooyonga and Royal Adelaide.
Phil Chapman and Bridget Hill are SA Senior Champions for 2026
The South Australian Senior Championship was again held at Naracoorte Golf Club from Monday 31st August to Wednesday the 2nd of September with a field of 115 entrants, significantly up from last year.
The field included regional locals, representatives from all mainland states plus the usual SASOOM competitors from Adelaide.
A really good winter meant that the course was in even better condition than last year with good fairways and the usual excellent greens – smooth and fast. The greens at Naracoorte would do any big city course proud and are larger than most country courses meaning proximity to the pin was paramount to avoid long putts with many subtle breaks.
The course again showed that its excellent mix of testing Par 3’s, dogleg Par 4’s where position is critical and some “big” Par 4’s and 5’s where length is a great asset and is a test for anyone and will identify only the best players.
Weather was sunny and just perfect on the Sunday practice day and on the Monday. Tuesday was a little rainy with some cold winds and Wednesday was overcast but good for scoring. Naracoorte is notable for its cold mornings but bacon and egg rolls for breakfast cooked by volunteers had everyone well prepared. The club’s hospitality was again on show with a lamb roast one night and a BBQ on another.
Senior Men
Aston Hill’s Phil Chapman set the tone from the start with a sub-par round of 70 to take a 2-shot lead from Super-Senior Nick Wake (Glenelg). Wake picked up a shot in the second round with dual Australian Senior Champion Mark Allen (Drouin) a shot further back.
These three players plus Willunga’s Dave Pateyjohns made up a really high quality 4-ball for the final group out on the Wednesday. Chapman’s 4 birdies including 3-in-a row leading to the turn gave him a buffer which he maintained with his disciplined play.
Phil is a past SA State Amateur Champion and had a short stint as a Professional and is keen to test his game against Australia’s best seniors.
“Chappie” also won the Nett (209) emphasising the quality and consistency of his play. But for a “senior moment” in missing his entry for the Grange/Kooyonga event with its associated points he may well have won the SASOOM.
Pateyjohns was second (220). David who has competed in nearly all SA events and many interstate was a worthy winner of the 2026 SA Order of Merit
Super Senior Men
Nick Wake doesn’t see himself as a “Super” Senior and his overall second place supported this. Whilst he was a clear winner with 220 he did have serious contenders in former Australian Senior Champion James Lavender (Northern GC) plus Ken Brewer (Newcastle).
Norm Cordina (Tea Tree Gully) confines his senior golf to this event only these days but was a popular winner of the Nett (224) from last year’s Gross Super Senior winner Matthew Doughty (Royal Sydney) (227).
Senior Women
Wendy Harrington (Monash) (249) won the Gross from joint seconds – Christine Trimmer (The Vines of Reynella) and Kim Morris (Shepparton) (250).
A welcome newcomer to SA senior golf, Samantha Greaves has just joined Kooyonga and her 216 won the Nett from Heather Bishop (Curlewis) (222).
Super Senior Women
Last year’s runner up Bridget Hill (Woodlands) (238) went one better this year in winning (by a big margin) both the Super Seniors and the overall SA Senior Women’s Championship going even better than Nick Wake’s overall second place.
Shirley Dean (Sanctuary Cove (265) was second and the consistent Angela Masters (Blackwood) (276) third.
Nett went to Michelle Justin from nearby Lucindale (225) from Blackwood’s other perennial contender, Rosemary Underwood (230).
We again thank the members of Naracoorte golf club and there was zero criticism of anything and all players would go back there anytime – a course that of which Naracoorte is justifiably proud.
For Full Results go to: https://golf.com.au/ga-national-and-state-events-calendar#/competition/5269928/results
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SENIOR MEN Winner: Phil Chapman (Aston Hills) 70/74/71 = 215 Runner Up: Mark Allen (Drouin) 73/73/75 = 221 Third: David Pateyjohns (Willunga) 72/74/77 = 223 Best Nett: Phil Chapman (Aston Hills) 68/72/69 = 209 Nett Runners Up: David Pateyjohns (Willunga) 71/73/76 = 220 |
SENIOR WOMEN Winner: Wendy Harrington (Monash) 82/84/83 = 249 Runners Up: Christine Trimmer (The Vines of Reynella)
Best Nett: Samantha Greaves (Kooyonga) 73/74/69 = 216 Nett Runner Up: Heather Bishop (Curlewis) 72/76/74 = 222 |
SUPER SENIOR MEN Winner: Nick Wake (Glenelg) 72/73/75 = 220 Runner Up: James Lavender (Northern) 75/80/73 = 228 Third: Ken Brewer (Newcastle) 80/76/77 = 233 Best Nett: Norm Cordina (Tea Tree Gully) 72/77/75 = 224 Nett Runner Up: Matthew Doughty (Royal Sydney) |
SUPER SENIOR WOMEN Winner: Bridget Hill (Woodlands) 83/80/75 = 238 Runner Up: Shirley Dean (Sanctuary Cove) 95/87/83 = 265 Third: Angela Masters (Blackwood) 92/92/92 = 276 Best Nett: Michelle Justin (Lucindale) 76/73/76 = 225 Nett Runner Up: Rosemary Underwood (Blackwood)
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2026 SA Senior Order of Merit Winners
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Women’s Gross Winner: Christine Trimmer (The Vines of Reynella) Women’s Gross Runner Up: Gale McPherson (Blackwood) Women’s Gross Third: See Young Jung (North Adelaide)
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Men’s Gross Winner – John Beaumont Trophy: Men’s Gross Runner Up: Phil Chapman (Aston Hills) Men’s Gross Third: Nick Wake (Glenelg) |
Super Senior Men’s Gross Winner – Tony Mazzone Trophy: Super Senior Men’s Gross Runner Up: Peter Shaw (Glenelg) Super Senior Men’s Gross Third: Michael Richards (Tea Tree Gully)
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Women’s Nett Winner: Christine Trimmer (The Vines of Reynella) Women’s Nett Runner Up: Gale McPherson (Blackwood) Women’s Nett Third: See Young Jung (North Adelaide)
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Overall Men’s Nett Winner: David Pateyjohns (Willunga) Overall Men’s Nett Runner Up: Paul Gregory (The Vines of Reynella) Overall Men’s Nett Third: Phil Chapman (Aston Hills) |
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For full SASOOM points go to: https://golf.com.au/golf-australia-order-of-merit
Superb Weather for Grange/Kooyonga Seniors
SA’s Nationally ranked two-day senior event at Grange/Kooyonga (27-28th of August) has often been plagued by very ordinary weather conditions on at least one of the days.
No such issue this year for the Thursday afternoon round at Grange East or the Friday morning round at Kooyonga with perfect sunny conditions with only light winds. No excuses for not good scoring with both courses set up for a member mid-week competition. Surprisingly Kooyonga played 6-8 shots harder – maybe it was the early morning start or the subtle nuances that Kooey presents ?
A capped field of 60 men and 32 women – to allow for players to catch flights or drive to the SA State Seniors and to provide time for the presentation and excellent lunch that Kooyonga provides in the function room. Unfortunately this meant that a number local and interstaters missed the cut with quality of the field such that the men’s limit was a record low of 6.4 with interstate players outnumbering locals. This event dates back to 2009 and a list of the previous winners was displayed and it was great to see a number of them still returning. (your correspondent played in 2009 but now well past participating !!)
Both courses were in superb condition particularly given the extremely wet winter that SA has had.
Senior Men
Another Western Australian winner but a new one in Paul Patterson from Cottesloe Golf Club (73,75, 148). Paul was 2 shots clear of SA’s leading player, Dave Pateyjohns (Willunga) (76, 74, 150) and previous winner, Mike Lucas from Harvey Golf Club (73, 77, 150).
Nett also went to Paul Patterson (70, 72, 142) and second to Dave Pateyjohns (74, 72, 146) shared with Mike Lucas (71, 75, 146) and Mike Prindiville) (Royal Perth) (73, 73, 146).
Super Senior Men
Five times previous outright winner, Greg Rhodes (Coomealla) had to settle for a win in the Super Seniors (76, 79, 155). SA’s best Super Senior Nick Wake (Glenelg) was second (76, 82, 158). Greg Orvis (Thirteenth Beach) (83, 76, 159) and Doug Cullam (Monash) (79, 80, 159) shared third.
Kooyonga’s Bruce Lindner weas a popular winner in the Nett (72, 74, 146). Bruce has just launched his book on his life in sport and his battle with cancer and a copy was given to the player with the highest individual score on a hole and who shall remain nameless. !
David Mallet (The Sands Torquay) (76, 76, 152) and Greg Rhodes (75, 78, 153) were the Nett placegetters.
Senior/Super Senior Women
Gemma Dooley from New Soth Wales Golf Club repeated last year’s win (73, 84, 157) chased home by Blackwood’s Gale MacPherson (81, 80, 161) with Susan Fenwick (Duntryleague) (80, 88, 168) and Christine Trimmer (The Vines of Reynella) (86, 82, 168) third.
Gale and Sharyn Simes (Grange) shared the Nett with excellent scores of 142. Sharyn’s home nett of 65 on the Thursday was outstanding.
For Full results go to: https://golf.com.au/ga-national-and-state-events-calendar#/competition/5805923/results
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Men’s Senior – Gross |
Men’s Super Seniors- Gross |
Senior Women’s – Gross |
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|
Grange East |
Kooyonga |
Total |
|
|
Grange East |
Kooyonga |
Total |
|
|
Grange East |
Kooyonga |
Total |
|
|
Paul Patterson |
73 |
75 |
148 |
Cottesloe |
Greg Rhodes |
76 |
79 |
155 |
Coomealla |
Gemma Dooley |
73 |
84 |
157 |
New South Wales |
|
David Pateyjohns |
76 |
74 |
150 |
Willunga |
Nick Wake |
76 |
82 |
158 |
Glenelg |
Gale MacPherson |
81 |
80 |
161 |
Blackwood |
|
Michael Lucas |
73 |
77 |
150 |
Harvey |
Greg Orvis |
83 |
76 |
159 |
Thirteenth Beach |
Susan Fenwick |
80 |
88 |
168 |
Duntryleague |
|
Buddy Nagi |
78 |
77 |
155 |
Sanctuary Cove |
Douglas Cullam |
79 |
80 |
159 |
Monash |
Christine Trimmer |
86 |
82 |
168 |
The Vines |
|
Trevor Sidley |
72 |
83 |
155 |
The Lakes |
David Mallett |
80 |
80 |
160 |
The Sands Torquay |
Jill Trenorden |
85 |
84 |
169 |
Kooyonga |
|
Scott Sibson |
79 |
79 |
158 |
Home Hill |
Bruce Lindner |
80 |
82 |
162 |
Kooyonga |
Alison Gatland |
82 |
90 |
172 |
Monash |
|
David Alexander |
78 |
80 |
158 |
Royal Perth |
Ken Brewer |
84 |
81 |
165 |
Newcastle |
Dianne McCully |
83 |
90 |
173 |
Naracoorte |
|
Paul Gregory |
74 |
84 |
158 |
The Vines |
Glenn Marr |
82 |
88 |
170 |
Coomealla |
Christine Hildyard |
87 |
87 |
174 |
Kooyonga |
|
Tony Nobbs |
79 |
80 |
159 |
The Vines |
Graham Roberts |
87 |
84 |
171 |
Ballarat |
Rebecca Brown |
83 |
92 |
175 |
Yarra Yarra |
|
Men’s Senior – Nett |
Men’s Super Seniors – Nett |
Senior Women’s – Nett |
||||||||||||
|
Paul Patterson |
70 |
72 |
142 |
Cottesloe |
Bruce Lindner |
72 |
74 |
146 |
Kooyonga |
Gale MacPherson |
72 |
70 |
142 |
Blackwood |
|
David Pateyjohns |
74 |
72 |
146 |
Willunga |
David Mallett |
76 |
76 |
152 |
The Sands Torquay |
Sharyn Simes |
65 |
77 |
142 |
Grange |
|
Michael Lucas |
71 |
75 |
146 |
Harvey |
Greg Rhodes |
75 |
78 |
153 |
Coomealla |
Dianne McCully |
70 |
76 |
146 |
Naracoorte |
|
Michael Prindiville |
73 |
73 |
146 |
Royal Perth |
Greg Orvis |
81 |
74 |
155 |
Thirteenth Beach |
Gemma Dooley |
68 |
79 |
147 |
New South Wales |
|
Paul Thomas |
75 |
73 |
148 |
Grange |
Nick Wake |
75 |
81 |
156 |
Glenelg |
Susan Fenwick |
73 |
81 |
154 |
Duntryleague |
|
Ancel Greenwood |
77 |
71 |
148 |
Eastern |
John Keogh |
79 |
77 |
156 |
Glenelg |
Alison Gatland |
73 |
81 |
154 |
Monash |
|
Steve Osborn |
75 |
75 |
150 |
Grange |
Graham Roberts |
81 |
77 |
158 |
Ballarat |
Jill Trenorden |
78 |
77 |
155 |
Kooyonga |
|
Nick Woodley |
76 |
75 |
151 |
Royal Fremantle |
Donald Parsonage |
83 |
75 |
158 |
Monash |
Samantha Greaves |
72 |
83 |
155 |
Kooyonga |
|
Paul Gregory |
71 |
81 |
152 |
The Vines |
Glenn Marr |
77 |
82 |
159 |
Coomealla |
Rhondelle Ollett |
74 |
82 |
156 |
Redcliffe |
Wet for SASOOM at Royal Adelaide
Forecast was for rain and more rain and it was correct as SA Seniors, augmented by a significant number of interstaters, assembled for an 8:30am start at Royal Adelaide on Monday the 24th of August.
The Royal Adelaide event is a one-day Nationally ranked event hence the quality field and serves as an opportunity both to play this internationally renowned course and as a warm-up to the two day National event later in the week.
A huge field of 120 players were ready for the challenge. White tees helped – back tees are not for seniors at RA – but still a stern test of skills.
Adelaide’s sand belt courses are having issues with elevated water table levels from record winter rains so a few bunkers were out of play and the rough was green and lush for those who strayed too far from the manicured fairways.
Despite light but steady rain greens remained good throughout play. A cold wind didn’t help although there were the usual shorts wearers !
Organisation was excellent as was the hospitality with early morning coffee available. After the round the presentation was accompanied by a lunch.
Senior Men
More SOOM points for David Pateyjohns (Willunga) (74 – one over). Placings were filled by 77’s from Trevor Sidley (The Lakes) and Pateyjohn’s main rival, Phil Chapman (Aston Hills).
Nett went to a new name in Darryl Field (West Lakes) with an excellent 70 with popular local Andy Lee a shot back. Three players shared third with 74’s – Pateyjohns, Michael Pridiville (Royal Perth) and Neil Gordon (Glenelg).
Super Senior Men
Quality in the place getter in the Super Senior Gross – Greg Rhodes (Coomealla) (78) from Nick Wake (Glenelg) one back with another stroke to Doug Cullam (Monash).
Peter Shaw (Grange) has played a full SASOOM season this year as has Colin Andy (Future Golf) and they both returned Nett 76’s from a gaggle of 77’s – Rhodes, Don Parsonage (Monash), Brian Welsh (Glenelg), Phil Cosgrove (Murwillumbah) and Phil Crossley (Grange).
Senior/Super Senior Women
Jill Trenorden (Kooyonga) seldom makes senior appearances but is a past club champion and still plays pennant golf. Jill’s 76/69 was a stand-out performance. Runner up in the Gross and Nett was Christine Trimmer (The Vines of Reynella) (79/73).
Third in the Gross was Susan Fenwick (82) visiting from the Duntryleague GC whilst Gundi Holzer (Blackwood)(73) shared second in the Nett.
For full details go to: https://golf.com.au/ga-national-and-state-events-calendar#/competition/5173228/results
|
Men’s Senior – Gross |
Men’s Super Seniors – Gross |
Women’s Seniors/Super Seniors – Gross |
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|
David Pateyjohns |
Willunga |
74 |
Gregory Rhodes |
Coomealla |
78 |
Jillian Trenorden |
Kooyonga |
76 |
|
Trevor Sidley |
The Lakes |
77 |
Nicholas Wake |
Glenelg |
79 |
Christine Trimmer |
The Vines |
79 |
|
Phil Chapman |
Aston Hills |
77 |
Douglas Cullam |
Monash |
80 |
Susan Fenwick |
Duntryleague |
82 |
|
Tony Nobbs |
The Vines |
78 |
Greg Orvis |
Thirteenth Beach |
81 |
Simone Case |
Sandhurst |
83 |
|
Andrew Lee |
Royal Adelaide |
79 |
Peter Shaw |
Grange |
82 |
Christine Hildyard |
Kooyonga |
84 |
|
Gary Hallam |
Bargara |
79 |
Mathew Doughty |
Royal Sydney |
83 |
Rebecca Brown |
Yarra Yarra |
89 |
|
Andrew Brown |
Royal Perth |
79 |
Donald Parsonage |
Monash |
83 |
Karen Brown |
Coffs Harbour |
90 |
|
Paul Patterson |
Cottesloe |
79 |
Brian Welsh |
Glenelg |
84 |
Sarah Plaskitt |
Royal Sydney |
92 |
|
Darryl Field |
West Lakes |
81 |
Colin Andy |
Future Golf |
85 |
Rhondelle Ollett |
Redcliffe |
93 |
|
Men’s Senior – Nett |
Men’s Super Seniors – Nett |
Women’s Seniors/Super Seniors – Nett |
||||||
|
Darryl Field |
West Lakes |
70 |
Peter Shaw |
Grange |
76 |
Jillian Trenorden |
Kooyonga |
69 |
|
Andrew Lee |
Royal Adelaide |
71 |
Colin Andy |
Future Golf |
76 |
Christine Trimmer |
The Vines |
73 |
|
David Pateyjohns |
Willunga |
74 |
Gregory Rhodes |
Coomealla |
77 |
Gundi Holzer |
Blackwood |
73 |
|
Michael Prindiville |
Royal Perth |
74 |
Donald Parsonage |
Monash |
77 |
Julie Lovett |
Mt Osmond |
74 |
|
Neil Gordon |
Glenelg |
74 |
Brian Welsh |
Glenelg |
77 |
Jill Sommerlad |
Blackwood |
74 |
|
Trevor Sidley |
The Lakes |
75 |
Philip Cosgrove |
Murwillumbah |
77 |
Susan Fenwick |
Duntryleague |
75 |
|
Phil Chapman |
Aston Hills |
75 |
Phillip Crossley |
Grange |
77 |
Samantha Greaves |
Kooyonga |
76 |
|
Tony Nobbs |
The Vines |
75 |
Kevin Cook |
Mt Gambier |
78 |
Helen Brauer |
Blackwood |
77 |
|
Dara Long |
Glenelg |
75 |
Nicholas Wake |
Glenelg |
79 |
Simone Case |
Sanhurst |
78 |
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