Eighty one eager senior golfers kicked off the annual ‘Senior Sandbelt’ week of golf at Yarra Yarra GC this afternoon. This year’s field comprised of some of the states finest senior amateur golfers along with interstate visitors from New South Wales, ACT, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania all of whom were looking to take this year's coveted ‘Ray Barned’ trophy.
One of the most significant trophies on the senior calendar, the Yarra Yarra ‘Ray Barned’ Senior Amateur is named in honour of the former Victorian Golf Association council member (1994 – 2004). Ray served on a number of sub-committees including Match, Junior, Rules & Handicapping and Selection and also managed Victorian State Men’s and Colts teams during this involvement. A lifelong member of Yarra Yarra, including representing the club in Pennant, Ray was strongly involved in the conduct of many State Level Championships including the Men's Victorian Senior Amateur which commenced in 1995.
With last year’s champion Gordon Claney not defending this year, the title was wide open with gusty winds sweeping across the testing par 72 layout for the majority of the afternoon ensuring a stern test for the field. Yarra Yarra GC, once home to the Women’s Australian Open for a period of eight years (1995 – 2002), forms part of the famed ‘Melbourne Sandbelt’ group of courses and provides the ideal opening event for the majority of the field who will move on to compete in the remaining five events which form the ‘Senior Sandbelt’ week of golf over the coming seven days.
At the conclusion of today’s play, Huntingdale’s Mick Streit returned the day’s low round of four over par 76. Streit’s consistent play of 38 on the both the front and back nine’s in cool and breezy conditions saw the plus one marker take home the ‘Ray Barned’ title for 2015. The Metropolitan’s Paul Bray finished in second place just two shots off the pace after a solid round of 78 with Yarra Yarra member Guy Krall finishing in third place with a round of 79.
In the nett event, Yarram’s Ignatius Duivenvoorden finished the day with the top nett round a 74 from a daily handicap of 11. The defending Paul Lulofs champion snuck home by a stroke from New South Wales visitor Ross Manton (Castle Hill) who finished second on a countback with a nett 75 from a daily handicap of 14.
Play moves to Kingston Heath GC tomorrow for many of today’s field for the 2015 Kingston Heath Senior Amateur. With similar conditions predicted, more fine scores are expected.
To view full results, click here.