Scone Senior Golf Explained

By Lyn Banks

Amateur senior golfers, both men and ladies, are offered many opportunities for tournament play. Senior golf is played by those golfers who are 55 years of age and over. Golf Australia, each of the State Associations and individual clubs conduct events. These competitions provide golf for people from all over the country and internationally in some events. With scratch and nett events in each tournament, there is something for everyone. There are also age divisions to contest. To participate, players only have to be old enough and have a Golf Australia handicap, with only some events having a handicap limit. An Order of Merit, where points are allocated for results during the season of events, is also conducted.

In 2016 Scone members Ross and Lyn Banks have travelled extensively to many events on the senior program.

The enjoyable aspects and some of the attractions they have found by participating in this opportunity include: the comradery of passionate golfers; renewing friendships; meeting new people; playing quality golf courses at a reasonable price; personal challenge on new courses; travelling to parts of Australia and seeing more than just the golf course, and there is no doubt that playing a variety of golf courses improves the skill level of the player.

The ideal events have been the combined tournaments for men and ladies conducted at the same courses or at a nearby location.

During their travels Ross and Lyn also played more than ten other courses ranging from small country courses to resort style courses.

Ross and Lyn are recently home from the ACT men’s and ladies Championship which was played at Queanbeyan, Gungahlin Lakes and Federal golf courses.

During the year they also attended:

• Belmont men and ladies;
• Tuncurry men and ladies;
• Golf NSW Ladies Championship at Newcastle Golf Course;
• Golf Australia men’s Match Play Championship at Tweed Heads Golf Course;
• The Gold Coast men’s at Hope Island, Royal Pines and The Glades golf courses;
• Golf Queensland men’s Championship at Bribie Island Golf Course and ladies Championship at Maroochy River Golf Course;
• Coffs Coast men’s at Coffs Harbour and Bonville golf courses;
• Port Macquarie men’s;
• Royal Adelaide men’s
• Kooyonga & The Grange two day men’s event in Adelaide;
• Golf South Australia men’s and ladies Championship at Victor Harbor;
• Golf Australia Men’s National Championship at Kooyonga Golf Course, Adelaide, and
• Golf Victoria men’s and ladies Championship at Coomealla and Riverside golf courses, Mildura.

The ladies Australian Championship was held at Ballarat, but this clashed with family commitments and the ladies Hunter River District playoff event.

A few Sydney tournaments remain in 2016.

When there was only a men’s event, Lyn enjoyed watching the high standard of play by many golfers on low single figures, whilst providing caddy duties for Ross.

In 2017 the Golf NSW Ladies Championship will be held at Mudgee Golf Course from March 19- 22.

As it is only a 2 hour drive from Scone, this will provide a good opportunity for more local players to attend.

The men’s NSW Championship venue is yet to be determined.

For further information visit Golf NSW website www.golfnsw.org/ or the Australian Senior Amateur golf website www.bluesoom.com/ or  www.australianseniorgolfer.com.au/

Other opportunities for older golfers exists through the NSW Veteran’s Association which conducts events throughout the year for ladies over 50 and men over 55 years of age.