The Queensland Senior Open is one of only two events on the Australian Senior Order of Merit calendar where the amateurs and professionals play together (Tasmanian Senior Open is the other). It is a great way to end the season and allows the amateurs to try and match the leading professionals.

Round 1

A fine day and a well presented Nudgee Golf Course made for good scoring on day one. Tony Kennings continued his recent good form to record an even par 71 and joint lead with Bob Macpherson. Bob is 70 years young and his par round of 71 was a highlight of the tournament.

One shot behind the leading pair was another pair of experienced and talented senior golfers - Peter King (QLD) and Peter Terrace (QLD) on 72. Denis Dale (NSW) was alone on two over par 73, a single shot ahead of a group on 74 - Brian Sams (NSW), Pat Giles (VIC), Grahame MacDonald (QLD) and Ray Geary (QLD).

The leading professional was West Australian Lindsay Stephen with a very impressive 66 that gave hin a 4 shot lead over a strong field.

Round 2

Another perfect Queensland day and the good scoring continued. Brian Sams equalled par (71) to hold the 36 hole lead on 145 with Denis Dale who returned a one over par 72.

This pair held a 2 shot lead from Peter Terrace (72-75), Peter King (72-75) and Tony Kennings (71-76). Bob Macpherson maintained a good position on 149 (71-78) along with Alan Buckley from Victoria (76-73). Oxley golfer Michael Pokai burst from the pack with a great round of 72 to go with his opening 78.

Linday Stephems held his lead in the overall championship with a 72 to go with his opening 66. He led by 3 shots from Gary Merrick (71-70) and 5 from defending champion Rodger Davis, Ken Oung and Paul Connell.

Round 3

The final round was again played in perfect sunny conditions with a gentle breeze and good scoring was expected from amateurs and professionals.

Joint leaders Denis Dale and Brian Sams maintained their consistent play and with no challenges being made by fellow competitors it became a battle between the two NSW seniors.

Dale birdied the 6th and 7th holes to open an early lead and with one hole remaining the lead was still just the single shot. Dale's drive was bunkered and after a recovery shot he could only manage a bogey. The eighteenth green is probably the most difficult and challenging green on the course and Sams was one of many who three putted from the edge of the green for a bogey. This left Dale with a 54 total of 220 and a one shot advantage over Sams (221) and the title of leading amateur.

Peter Terrace continued with his run of good finishes to tie with Micheal Pokai on 225 and equal third place. Fifth place was shared by West Australian Nigel Goodall, Queenslander Peter King and NSW's Tony Kennings. This good finish has moved Goodall up the Order of Merit and he is now an excellent chance of making the next Australian team to play New Zealand in New Zealand in February, 2008.

The battle for the major trophy was also exciting with a number of the professionals still a chance with 9 holes left to play. This was where Rodger Davis demonstrated his class and experience with a great closing 9 holes of 5 under par. Davis (73-70-66) eventually won by three shots from Lindsay Stephen (66-72-74) with David Saunders in third place(77-68-68).

Dale's total of 220 saw him finish in ninth place overall with Sams in eleventh place.

Denis Dale accepts the leading amateur's prize in the 2007 Queensland Senior Open

Amateur runner Up Brian Sams with tournament sponsor John Smallwood (Metroplex).

Local Nudgee members Steve King (19th) and Grahame MacDonald (14th).

Tournament champion Rodger Davis unleashes a powerful drive on the 10th tee.

Happy group at the presentation - Kerrie and Grahame MacDonald, Ray Adams, Nigel and Maureen Goodall, Tony Kennings

Australian Senior Order of Merit placegetters for 2006-07.
Brian Sams (3rd), Tony Kennings (2nd), Denis Dale (1st).

Queensland Senior Open Champion Rodger Davis accepts the trophy to make it two in a row.

Leading amateur Denis Dale with tournament champion Rodger Davis.

Tournament runner up Lindsay Stephen plays from the bunker on the 9th hole.