The inaugural Lang Lang Senior Amateur kicked off the September swing of the Doug Bachli senior calendar under clear skies at the picturesque Lang Lang GC earlier today. The hidden gem, nestled within the South Gippsland district, played host to 63 men and seven ladies who found the going tough despite the favorable conditions, with the slick bent greens and tight pin locations bringing many players undone.
Given this year’s event was a new edition to the senior calendar, it seemed only fitting that two ‘rookies’ took the honours in both the men’s and women’s sections. Veena Mali (Waverley) produced thirty five stableford points from a daily handicap of eighteen to take the top prize competing in her first senior event.
The Waverley local played consistent throughout the day to finish two points clear of Tina Cowie (Tambo Valley) who produced thirty three stableford points from a daily handicap of thirty seven. Kingwood’s Julieta Barcelon grabbed the top prize in the scratch stableford trophy with a score of fourteen points.
In the men’s nett event, Trafalgar’s Roger Barnes produced a fine round of 71 nett from a daily handicap of fifteen to take the honours with Barry Thomson (Southern) emerging from a three way countback on a nett score of 72 to finish second.
Also competing in his first senior event, Tony Johnson (Trafalgar) ensured both the major trophies would be headed back to Trafalgar after firing a classy round of 72. Johnson signaled himself as a player to watch in the future after closing with a back nine of one under par 34 to take the first Lang Lang Senior Amateur title. The consistent play of Huntingdale’s Mick Streit continued after he fired a round of 75 to finish in second place on a countback from Queensland visitor Peter Hannah (Pelican Waters).
The next stop will again be an inaugural event in 2015, when play moves to Melton Valley GC on Thursday for the Melton Valley Senior Amateur. Late entries are still available for this event, for further details click here.
To view photos & full results of today’s play click here.