Golf Victoria is pleased to announce that the 2018 Victorian Men's and Women's Senior Amateur Championships will be played at the Shepparton and Hill Top Golf Clubs from Monday 10 to Wednesday 12 September.
Thanks to the appreciated and generous support from the Greater Shepparton City Council, approximately 200 players aged 55 and over will be competing in Victoria's premier golf event for senior players.
First played in 1995, the Victorian Men's Senior Amateur is played over 54-holes stroke play and is one of just two Golf Australia National senior ranking events played within the State.
The Victorian Women's Senior Amateur was first played in 1931 and consists of 36-holes of stroke qualifying followed by match play rounds. Four players qualify for the overall Women's Senior Championship which is the decided by 18-hole semi-finals and final. An additional four women players will qualify for respective 18-hole semi-finals and finals in the 55-64 year and 65 and over age groups.
Widely regarded as one of Australia’s best country courses, Shepparton Golf Club was first established in 1922. Following a redesign by renowned course architect Sam Berriman, the current course and clubhouse was opened in 1959 and is uniquely located on gently undulating sand hills around five kilometres from the city centre.
Winding amongst stands of pine trees that have been planted along the banks of the neighboring Goulburn River, the course is also characterized by classic bunkering which guards the large green complexes.
In the heart of Victoria’s Dairy Region at Tatura, Hill Top Golf Club is set on meandering bushland with the narrow fairways framed by native trees, particularly gums. Designed by Eric Horne and Harry Brown, the course opened in 1964 but a number of holes were remodeled by Thomson, Wolveridge and Perrett as part of a residential development alongside the club in the early 2000’s.
Golf Victoria's Chief Operating Officer, David Greenhill commented "We're excited to be returning to Shepparton and Hill Top with the 2018 Victorian Senior Amateur Championships and are extremely grateful for the wonderful assistance provided by the Greater Shepparton City Council.
“The 2018 Championship has again proven popular with senior golfers with over 130 players travelling to the Goulburn Valley region from all over Victoria and interstate. While the Men’s Senior Amateur was played at Shepparton and Hill Top in 2003, this year’s return is even more exciting given the Women's title is played concurrently. This continues Golf Victoria’s desire to jointly stage as men’s and women’s events as possible.”
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Cr Kim O'Keeffe said she is looking forward to the Victorian Men’s and Women’s Senior Amateur Championships returning to the region in 2018.
“Greater Shepparton lends itself well to a wide range of sports, including golf. Council is proud to be able to support this year’s Championships and I’m sure all competitors will enjoy their time here,” Cr O'Keeffe said.
Reigning Men’s champion Douglas Francis returns to defend his 2017 maiden title win at Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance. The Metropolitan Golf Club member carded rounds of 79, 71, and 73 to win by a single shot from fellow member and former Australian Amateur champion John Kelly.
In the Women’s field, Helen Pascoe of Buninyong will be looking to add her name onto the silverware for the third time. Champion in 2014 and 2017, Pascoe defeated Maffra’s Jo Sellen 1 up on the 18th hole last year.
Entries have been extended to close at 5pm this Sunday 2 September. To register, head to www.golfvic.org.au/senioram