AUSTRALIAN SENIOR ORDER OF MERIT

Australian Team wins the 2008 Asia-Pacific Senior Championship by 23 shots in Sabah, Malaysia

Brad Doolan has strong win in the 2008 ACT Senior Championship at Belconnen, Gold Creek and Royal Canberra Golf Clubs

Stefan Albinski shoots 67 for one stroke victory in the 2008 Victorian Senior Championship at Rosebud Golf Club.

Ross Percy records great win in the 2008 South Australian Senior Championship at Murray Bridge Golf Club.

Denis Dale defeats Rick Oliver in final of the 2008 Australian Senior Match Play Championship at Barwon Heads Golf Club.

Draft 2009 Senior Golf Calendar is now available. Note: this is only a draft - expect changes.
2009 Draft Senior Golf Calendar.

NEXT AUSOOM EVENTS:
Click on the title for details

Tasmanian Senior Open
February 20-21, 2009
Launceston Golf Club

Tasmanian Seniors
February 25-27, 2009
Mowbray Golf Club

NSW Seniors
March 3-5, 2009
Duntry League Golf Club


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ORDER OF MERIT
CURRENT POINTS TABLE
  1.   Stefan Albinski (NSW)
  2.   Brian Sams (NSW)
  3.   Rick Oliver (NSW)
  4.   Ross Percy (VIC)
  5.   Nigel Goodall (WA)
  6.   Denis Dale (NSW)
  7.   Gra. MacDonald QLD
  8.   John Beaumont (SA)
  9.   Tony Kennings (NSW)
 10.  Ross Bockman NSW
 11.  Tony Gresham (NSW)
 12.  Alan Evans (VIC)
 13.  Tony Mazzone (SA)
 14.  Greg Stanford (NSW)
 15.  Paul Day (NSW)

       OVER 65 TABLE
  1.   Tony Gresham (NSW)
  2.   Jack Parker (NSW)
  3.   Pat Giles (VIC)
  4.   Norm Way (QLD)
  5.   Alex Cleave (WA)

2008-09 AUSOOM
ORDER OF EVENTS
  1.  South Aust Seniors
  2.  Victorian Seniors
  3.  Tasmanian Snr Open
  4.  Tasmanian Seniors
  5.  NSW Seniors
  6.  NSW Nth Sydney Snrs
  7.  WA Melville Glades
  8.  WA Seniors
  9.  Australian Seniors
10.  Vic Cobram Barooga
11.  N. Territory Seniors
12.  Queensland Seniors
13.  Queensland Snr Open

    This is a draft order.
    Changes are likely.
AUSOOM
VIDEOS

       



  SENIOR GOLF EXCHANGE
"Half of golf is fun; the other half is putting."
- Peter Dobereiner

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  Reminder - Book Early for Launceston (Nov 19)

Just a short reminder that it is wise to book accommodation early for the Tasmanian Senior Open and the Tasmanian Senior Amateur both to be played in Launceston in late February next year. The Launceston Cup (horse racing) is on at the same time and accommodation is already hard to find.

Several players have just booked at the Commodore Regent (ph: 03 6331 4666) and there are a few rooms still available but you will need to book soon. If you choose this accommodation ask for Bill and mention Australian Senior Golf for a special rate.

For more information on each event click Tasmanian Senior Open being played at Launceston Golf Club or Tasmanian Senior Amateur being played again at Mowbray Golf Club.

  News from National Senior Advisory Group (NSAG) (Nov 17)

The National Senior Advisory Group met recently and a summary of the minutes from that meeting are listed below.

  • 2009 Australian Mens Senior'Championship confirmed for Bribie Island
  • 2010 Australian Mens Senior'Championship confirmed for Royal Canberra
  • Australian Women's Senior Championship to remain as match play
  • 2009 Australian Men's Senior Matchplay at Barwon Heads with Order of Merit points awarded for a 32 man field with 8 Super Seniors (65+) to also compete in a separate round robin championship
  • Australian Men's and Women's Senior Championships upgraded to Level 6 status = 180 points
  • News on 2009 Trans-Tasman event to be held at Sanctuary Cove Golf Club
  • 2009 Australian Seniors vs ADFGA team to be played at The National in March

    For full minutes from the Golf Australia web site click here NSAG Minutes November 7, 2008.

  •   Australia and Albinski Win at 2008 Asia Pacific Seniors (Nov 13)

    Australia has recorded a great win in the 2008 Asia-Pacific Senior Championship played in Sabah, Malaysia. The six man team of Denis Dale, Stefan Albinksi, Rick Oliver (capt), Nigel Goodall, Ross Percy and Brian Sams finished 23 strokes ahead of the New Zealand team.

    With the best four rounds counting each day the Australian team finished on 23 over par - averaging better than 74 for each scoring round on the tricky par 72 Nexus Golf Resort course at Karambunai.

    The individual championship was another victory for Australia with Stefan Albinksi (73-75-73) and Brian Sams (74-76-71) featuring in a play off for the title. Albinksi was the winner with a birdie on the second sudden death play off hole. Australia was the dominant team at the event this year with all six Australian team players finishing in the top 20 positions with four players finishing in the top ten.
    2008 Asia Pacific Seniors for photos and reports.



    Live scoring for this event is available
    by clicking on this link -
    2008 Asia Pacific Seniors - Live Scoring.

      Newcomer Brad Doolan Wins ACT Senior Championship (Nov 13)

    It was a case of the new boys proving too strong for the more experienced "old boys" in the 2008 ACT Senior Championship played at Gold Creek, Belconnen and Royal Canberra Golf Clubs. Brad Doolan (Tuross Beach) and Bryan Kelly (Fairbairn) finished first and second ahead of a trio of regular Order of Merit senior golfers - Bill Banks, Grahame MacDonald and Chris Coats.

    Holding the top two positions from round one and also round two both Doolan and Kelly played very steady golf despite strong challenges from local favourite Bill Banks and Queenslanders MacDonald and Coats. The victory for Doolan was his first in major senior golf competition and he looks set to be a danger in more events in the future. Bryan Kelly was making his debut in Order of Merit golf and he went very close to recording a win, falling just one stroke short of victory.

    The championship was a definite success with the new date in November proving very popular. All scores and other information available here 2008 ACT Seniors Championship.

      Tony Gresham Wins the 2008 Hong Kong Seniors (Nov 8)

    The 2008 Hong Kong Seniors Championship was won convincingly by Tony Gresham with scores of 72, 72 and 72 around the testing New Course at the Hong Kong Golf Club at Fanling.

    Tony played very consistent golf for three days and whilst Joe Pethes from HKGC got within three shots with 10 holes to play, Tony shot 3 birdies in the next 5 holes to pull away to win by 6 shots with Junichi Manai from Japan coming third on a countback from another Australian Ian Vidler. Ten countries were represented in the 78 man field.

    The course was in excellent condition in preparation for the HK Open to be held in two weeks, however, the unusually late summer conditions provided testing hot and humid conditions for the players. The HKGC provided excellent accommodation and hospitality for all players.
    Thanks to Alan Evans for sending this report and photo.
    Full scores available here Hong Kong Golf Association and then click on the Tournaments button.

      More Healthy Advice for Senior Golfers (Nov 6)

    Following the excellent article submitted by Paul Lulofs fellow Victorian Denis Long took the opportunity to forward a piece of cardiovascular advice for senior golfers. To download the file click here Cardiovascular Exercise for senior age golfers.

      Healthy Advice for Senior Golfers (Nov 4)

    Well known Victorian golfer Paul Lulofs has forwarded an interesting document as worthwhile advice for all. In summary, it explains why we need to drink more water each day and also includes a simple calculator to work out just how much we each should drink. (I am not sure if wine does the same thing!) To download the file click here Water Calculator and then click the Open button.

      New Leaders in Australian Senior Order of Merit (Nov 2)

    Following the recent South Australian And Victorian Senior Championships there have been changes at the top of the Australian Senior Order of Merit.

    After the points had been allocated for 2008 South Australian Seniors the 2007-08 Order of Merit winner, Rick Oliver, was replaced at the top by Brian Sams. This was the first time at the top of the Order of Merit table for Sams who has been a prolific winner over the past few years.

    However, it proved to be a short stay at the top for Brian Sams as one week later Stefan Albinksi claimed the top position with his one shot victory in the Victorian Seniors Championship. These two senior golfers look set to contest the top two positions for some time to come.

    The new table has been calculated using the changes to the Australian Amateur Ranking System introduced by Golf Australia last month. For details on these changes click New Ranking System.

    To view the current points and finish tables click on the Order of Merit button above.   Back to Top

      Albinski Shoots 67 to Win 2008 Vic Seniors (Oct 30)

    Current Australian Senior Amateur Champion Stefan Albinski has "come from the clouds" to record a magnificent victory in the 2008 Victorian Senior Amateur Championship played at Rosebud Gold Course. After opening with a nine over par 80 Albinski improved every day with 73, 72 and a fantastic closing round 67 for a one stroke victory from the defending champion Brian Sams (NSW).

    Albinski was on fire in the final round and with two holes to play was six under par. He showed he was human with a bogey, bogey finish while the ever steady Sams recorded a par, birdie finish to narrow the gap to one stroke.

    The victory means Albinksi has won at his last four starts in Order of Merit events - a marvellous achievement. Sams was also very impressive in his determined attempt to make it three Victorian Senior Championships in a row. Clearly these two are the standout players in Australian senior amateur golf.

    Third place went to Victorian Chris Tatt who also broke par in the final round with a one under score of 70. Fourth and fifth went to Victorians Phil Wood and Greg Welsh with ACT golfer Tony Gover and NSW player Denis Dale in a tie for sixth. For all the scores, photos and comments on the 2008 Victorian Seniors click here - 2008 Victorian Seniors Championship.    Back to Top



      Victorian Ross Percy Great Win in SA Seniors (Oct 24)

    Victorian Ross Percy has recorded a great victory in the 2008 South Australian Seniors Championship recently completed at the Murray Bridge Golf Course. Percy returned the lowest score ever in an Australian Senior Odrer of Merit, a four under par 64. This followed his two under par 66 in the second round. His total of 204 for the 54 holes was even par.

    This was the first ever Order of Merit victory for the much travelled Victorian and his win was a very popular one. Percy will now play in the Victorian Seniors before heading to Malaysia as part of an Australian Seniors team competing in the 2008 Asia Pacific Senior Championship.

    Fellow Victorian Pat Giles finished second seven shots behind Percy in his best performance in an Order of Merit event. Giles held the 36 hole lead with opening rounds of 72 and 66 and gave Percy a good battle. Peter Terrace compiled three consistent rounds of 70-71-71 for third place.

    Leading Scores:
    204   Ross Percy 74-66-64
    211   Pat Giles 72-66-73
    212   Peter Terrace 70-71-71
    215   Peter Bywaters 68-71-76 Bill Wellington 72-70-73
    216   Brian Sams 70-70-76, Graham Bowen 72-69-75
    For progress scores, photos and additional comments on the SA Seniors click here - 2008 South Australian Seniors Championship.    Back to Top



      New Australian Ranking System to Replace Order of Merit (Oct 17)

    The Golf Australia Championships Committee recently approved the methodology and conditions for the implementation of the Golf Australia "Order of Merit Competitions". They will be known as the Australian Amateur Ranking Systems and will replace the current National Men’s and Women’s Ranking Systems, and the current Australian Men’s Senior Order of Merit.

    For the Senior Men Rankings the points earned from all events are totalled and then divided by either eight or the actual number of events played if that number is higher than eight. All events are now categorised by level using a national standard. The new levels also mean a new points distribution. A summary of the key points of the new system follows:

  • The same ranking methodology will be used for all categories - junior boys and girls, open men and women, senior men and women and possibly the mid amateur category in the future.
  • The ranking systems will commence on 1 November and conclude on 31 October and will operate as a 12-month rolling period.
  • The new system is points-based (rather than using a scoring average). This is considered fairer as players are neither advantaged nor disadvantaged by course difficulty.
  • A player is not required to compete in a minimum number of events to be eligible to win their defined Australian Amateur Ranking Event.
  • A player's points will be divided by either a minimum divisor or the number of events played (whichever is greater), with the points gained from each Australian Amateur Ranking Event in the previous year expiring immediately that week is more than 12 months ago.
  • The minimum divisor is based on the number of events a player should realistically contest each year, taking into account historical evidence. The divisor for senior golfers is 8 events.
  • Points are allocated to different events depending on the importance of the event. The more prestigious the event or the higher the quality of players competing in the event (based on the specific event's past fields). A specific event's points allocation may change from year to year.

    Click this link Golf Australia Ranking System to read the official Golf Australia document on the new Ranking Systems.

    As this new ranking system is now effective and it includes the points earned over the previous 12 months results a new table for Australian Senior Men has been calculated. You can view the new points table by clicking Senior Men's Rankings 2008-09 or the finishing position table by clicking Senior Men's Finish Positions 2008-09. This new table is not yet official and is provided to give seniors an early look at the new system - please advise if you find any errors.

    The table has been calculated on the basis of finishing position in events played over the last 12 months and uses the new Golf Australia events points table.

    The next new "Order of Merit" competition commences on November 1, 2008 and concludes October 31, 2009.    Back to Top