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The 2015 Victorian Senior Order of Merit calendar concluded this morning under grey skies at the final round of the Moyne Senior Classic. The traditional end of season event, open to both men & women is always a highlight of the senior calendar & caps off what has been another fantastic year of senior golf.
The 108 competitors comprised of 85 men & 23 women were put through two rounds of challenging conditions, with the scenic Port Fairy golf links layout battered by trademark strong winds & icy conditions for the duration of the event.
The final round was set for an exciting finale, with players scrambling for the last points on offer in the Doug Bachli & Paul Lulofs trophies. Both the male & female gross championship leaders had a host of challenges hot on their heels whilst a similar leaderboard took shape in both nett events at the conclusion of round one.
The Women’s nett event saw Yarra Yarra’s Fay Mitchell emerge victorious in her first senior event with a two round score of 60 stableford points from a daily handicap of 22. Second place in the Women’s nett event was taken out by Julieta Barcelon (Peninsula Kingswood) who survived a countback to finish in second place.
In the Women’s championship, defending champion Helen Pascoe (Buninyong) proved too strong once again for the field returning a score of 57 gross stableford points. Pascoe played consistently over the two rounds to finish clear of her nearest rival Catherine Pearce (Sandhurst) who finished in second position with 43 gross stableford points.
The Men’s nett event came right down to the wire with Neil Lockhart finishing the back nine strong to break away from a host of players & secure a three shot win with a two round nett score of 150 (daily handicap 11). Graham Bone (Commonwealth) surfaced from a four way tie at 153 to take runner-up honours from The National’s Pat Giles.
Equally, the Men’s championship produced a close finish, with the 2015 Doug Bachli Order of Merit winner Ian Frost (Bendigo) putting the icing on the cake of a brilliant year, adding to his list of many wins in 2015 by securing the last event of the calendar with a two round total score of 158. The National’s Guy Krall finished runner-up by way of countback from overnight leader Alan Bullas (Commonwealth) with both players finishing with a two round total of 160.
Golf Victoria would like to extend sincere thanks to all players who have taken part in any of the 39 Victorian Senior Order of Merit events in 2015 in what has been a year of many highlights & fine golf. Special mention must also go out to the 39 hosts clubs for their continued commitment & support of Victorian Senior golf.
Focus now shifts to the opening event of the 2016 calendar which will take place on the Mornington Peninsula at Sorrento GC Thursday 3 – Friday 4 December.
To view final results, click here.