The Australian PGA Seniors Championship is a golf tournament in Australia.

History

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The inaugural event was held in 1986. Legendary golfer Peter Thomson referred to the tournament as "a breakthrough" for Australian senior golf.[1] The 1986 and 1987 events were played concurrently with the Rich River Classic, a regular event on the PGA Tour of Australia. Both were won by the American Orville Moody.[2][3][4] The regular PGA Tour of Australia event, The Rich River Classic, was discontinued in 1988 because of a clash of dates. However, the Rich River Golf Course continued to host the seniors championship until 1995.[5] The 1988 championship was won by Jerry Stolhand.[6] Stolhand, an American who had lived in Australia since 1969, was killed in a car accident in February 1989 and was unable to defend the title.[7][8]

In 1996, star American golfer Lee Trevino played the event.[9] It was the first event he played in Australia in a decade.[10] He played it as a gift to his friend Bruce Devlin who designed Gold Creek Country Club, the course the event was played on.[9] He went on to win.[11]

In recent years the event has been held at Richmond Golf Club. In late 2020 it was announced that the course got a two-year extension to host the tournament through 2022.[12]

Winners

edit
Year Winner Score To par Margin of
victory
Runner(s)-up Venue Ref.
2023   Jason Norris 196 −14 5 strokes   Stephen Allan
  Peter Lonard
Richmond Golf Club [13]
2022   Richard Green 199 −11 1 stroke   Andre Stolz Richmond Golf Club [14]
2021   Guy Wall 66[a] −4 Playoff[b]   Peter Lonard Richmond Golf Club [15]
2020   Andre Stolz 201 −9 4 strokes   Peter Lonard Richmond Golf Club [16]
2019   Peter Senior 201 −9 1 stroke   Peter Fowler
  Peter O'Malley
Richmond Golf Club [17][18]
2018   Michael Long 198 −12 1 stroke   Peter Senior Richmond Golf Club [19]
2017   David McKenzie[c] 202 −14 6 strokes   Peter Senior Twin Waters Golf Club &
Pelican Waters Golf Club
[20][21]
2016   Martin Pettigrew 214 −2 3 strokes   David Merriman Mollymook Golf Club (Hilltop) [22][23]
2015   Rodger Davis 203 −7 Playoff[d]   Mike Harwood
  Peter Senior
Richmond Golf Club [24][25]
2014   Simon Owen 208 −2 Playoff[e]   Mike Harwood Richmond Golf Club [26][27]
2013   Darryl Purchase 210 E 2 strokes   Kym Olsen Richmond Golf Club [28][29]
2012   Mike Harwood 124[f] −6 2 strokes   Mike Zilko Gordon Golf Club [30][31]
2011   Peter Fowler 207 −9 9 strokes   Mike Clayton
  David Hill
Killara Golf Club [32]
2010   Lyndsay Stephen 214 −2 2 strokes   Delroy Cambridge Killara Golf Club [33]
2009   Peter Senior 207 −9 8 strokes   Larry Canning
  Mike Harwood
Byron Bay Golf Club [34]
2008   Noel Ratcliffe 212 −4 6 strokes   John Clifford
  Terry Gale
  David Merriman
  Stuart Reese
Byron Bay Golf Club [35]
2007   David Merriman 215 −1 2 strokes   Garry Merrick
  Craig Owen
Byron Bay Golf Club [36]
2006   Terry Gale 216 E 7 strokes   Stuart Reese Newcastle Golf Club [37]
2005   Tom Purtzer 206[g] −10 5 strokes   John Chillas Club Pelican [38][39]
2004   Mike Ferguson 291 +3 Playoff   Brian Jones Club Pelican [40]
2003   John Clifford 218 +2 2 strokes   Geoff Parslow Penrith Golf Club [41]
2002   Mike Ferguson 207 −9 6 strokes   Bryan Smith Penrith Golf Club [42][43]
2001   Noel Ratcliffe 206 Playoff[h]   David Good Penrith Golf Club [44]
2000   Barry Vivian 208 −8 4 strokes   Ian Brander
  Frank Conallin
Penrith Golf Club [45][46]
1999   Trevor Downing Twin Waters Golf Club
1998   Ian Stanley 215 −1 1 stroke   Akio Toyoda Twin Waters Golf Club [47]
1997   Terry Gale 216 Playoff[i]   Bob Shaw Twin Waters Golf Club [48][49]
1996   Lee Trevino 282 −6 5 strokes   Terry Gale Gold Creek Country Club [50][51]
1995   Bill Dunk 281 2 strokes   Peter Headland Rich River Golf Club [52]
1994   Rick L'Estrange 281 −7 2 strokes   Errol Hartvigsen Rich River Golf Club [53][54]
1993   Akio Toyoda 284 7 strokes   Bill Dunk Rich River Golf Club [55]
1992   Akio Toyoda 288 9 strokes   Bill Dunk
  John Klatt
Rich River Golf Club [56]
1991   John Davis 293 +5 1 stroke   Darrell Welch Rich River Golf Club [57][58][59]
1990   Mike Kelly 291 +3 6 strokes   Col Johnston Rich River Golf Club [60][61]
1989   Bill Dunk 282 12 strokes   Peter Thomson Rich River Golf Club [62]
1988   Jerry Stolhand 286 7 strokes   Ian Alexander Rich River Golf Club [6]
1987   Orville Moody 281 −7 10 strokes   Harry Berwick Rich River Golf Club [63][4]
1986   Orville Moody 276 −12 1 stroke   Peter Thomson Rich River Golf Club [64][3]
  1. ^ Shortened to 18 holes due to rain.
  2. ^ Wall won with a birdie on the fifth playoff hole.
  3. ^ The championship was incorporated into the Sunshine Coast Masters.
  4. ^ Davis won with a birdie on the third playoff hole. Senior was eliminated at the first extra hole.
  5. ^ Owen won with a birdie on the first playoff hole.
  6. ^ Contested over 36 holes.
  7. ^ Shortened to 54 holes due to rain.
  8. ^ Radcliife won on the first extra hole.
  9. ^ Gale won with a par at the first extra hole.

Source: [65]

References

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  1. ^ "Thomson for first seniors". The Sydney Morning Herald. 30 January 1986. p. 33. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  2. ^ "Thomson hails seniors tournament". The Canberra Times. Vol. 60, no. 18383. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 30 January 1986. p. 1 (Sports section). Retrieved 25 June 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ a b "Times Sport". The Canberra Times. Vol. 60, no. 18415. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 3 March 1986. p. 22. Retrieved 25 June 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ a b "Senior sweeps to top with two-shot win in Rich River classic". The Canberra Times. Vol. 61, no. 18777. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 2 March 1987. p. 18. Retrieved 25 June 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "River draws young and old". The Canberra Times. Vol. 62, no. 19100. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 21 January 1988. p. 16. Retrieved 25 June 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ a b "Sport summary". The Sydney Morning Herald. 29 February 1988. p. 59.
  7. ^ "Tragedy strikes, but Jan marches on". The Sun-Herald. 5 February 1989. p. 70.
  8. ^ "Yowani, Yass, Qbn remain undefeated". The Canberra Times. Vol. 63, no. 19497. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 23 February 1989. p. 19. Retrieved 25 June 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ a b "Trevino answers an old mate's call to Canberra". The Sydney Morning Herald. 6 March 1996. p. 49. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  10. ^ "Golf". The Age. 24 January 1996. p. 37. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  11. ^ "Trevino triumphs in Australia". The Record. 11 March 1996. p. 10. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  12. ^ "Australian PGA Seniors Championship finds home at Richmond GC". PGA of Australia. 21 October 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  13. ^ "Norris joins illustrious honour roll at Australian PGA Senior Championship". PGA of Australia. 12 November 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  14. ^ "Green's clutch birdie clinches Seniors PGA crown". PGA of Australia. 6 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  15. ^ "Wall wins rain-soaked Senior PGA in playoff". PGA of Australia. 27 November 2021. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  16. ^ "Stolz rejoins winner's circle at Aus PGA Senior Champs". PGA of Australia. 7 November 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  17. ^ "Senior wins Australian PGA Seniors title". PGA of Australia. 2 November 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  18. ^ "Report". PGA of Australia. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  19. ^ "Long wins Australian PGA Seniors Championship". PGA of Australia. 3 November 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  20. ^ "Double delight for Sunshine Coast Masters winner". PGA of Australia. 17 December 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  21. ^ "Sunshine Coast Masters". PGA of Australia. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  22. ^ O'Hare, Brian (29 November 2016). "Martin Pettigrew wins 2016 Australian PGA Senior Championship on debut". Australian Senior Golfer.
  23. ^ "Australian PGA Senior Championship". PGA of Australia. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  24. ^ O'Hare, Brian (15 November 2015). "Rodger Davis a command performance to take 2015 Senior PGA Championship". Australian Senior Golfer.
  25. ^ "Coca-Cola Australian PGA Seniors Championship". PGA of Australia. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  26. ^ O'Hare, Brian (2 November 2014). "Owen takes 2014 Australian Senior PGA Championship". Australian Senior Golfer.
  27. ^ "Australian PGA Seniors Championship". PGA of Australia. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  28. ^ O'Hare, Brian (3 November 2013). "Darryl Purchase "over the moon" at first big win". Australian Senior Golfer.
  29. ^ "Australian PGA Seniors Championship". PGA of Australia. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  30. ^ O'Hare, Brian (16 November 2012). "Harwood claims 2012 Australian PGA Senior Championship". Australian Senior Golfer.
  31. ^ Canning, Larry (December 2013). "Gordon to the rescue". Inside Golf. No. 89. p. 20. Retrieved 25 June 2021 – via Issuu.
  32. ^ O'Hare, Brian (30 October 2011). "Fowler a 9 stroke 2011 Fiducian Legends victory". Australian Senior Golfer.
  33. ^ O'Hare, Brian. "Lyndsay Stephen snatches dramatic 2010 Legends PGA victory". Australian Senior Golfer. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  34. ^ O'Hare, Brian (21 December 2009). "Senior steals the Legends' show at Byron Bay". Australian Senior Golfer.
  35. ^ O'Hare, Brian (14 December 2008). "Australian PGA Seniors Championship". Australian Senior Golfer.
  36. ^ "Merriman claims seniors PGA title". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). 13 December 2007. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  37. ^ "Companion 2006 Australian PGA Seniors Championship results". PGA of Australia. Archived from the original on 14 September 2007. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  38. ^ "Purtzer wins PGA Seniors Championship". Asian Seniors Tour. 10 April 2005.
  39. ^ "Spotlight On: Tom Purtzer". Arizona Republic. 14 April 2005. p. 40. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  40. ^ "Local pro takes Seniors PGA title". Sunshine Coast Daily. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  41. ^ "Australian PGA Seniors Championship results". PGA of Australia. Archived from the original on 20 September 2007. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  42. ^ "Australian PGA Seniors Championship results". PGA of Australia. Archived from the original on 20 September 2007. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  43. ^ "Ferguson on fire again". Sunshine Coast Daily. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  44. ^ "Australian PGA Seniors C'ship". The Sydney Morning Herald. 15 December 2001. p. 45 – via Newspapers.com.
  45. ^ "Australian PGA Snr C'ship". The Sydney Morning Herald. 4 November 2000. p. 79 – via Newspapers.com.
  46. ^ "Whatever happen to Barry Vivian... Inaugural Australian Masters champion". Inside Golf. No. 100. November 2013. p. 34. Retrieved 11 February 2021 – via Issuu.
  47. ^ "Novotel Australian PGA Seniors C'ship". The Sydney Morning Herald. 24 August 1998. p. 28 – via Newspapers.com.
  48. ^ "Parry's luck turns with Japan win". The Age. 6 October 1997. p. 52. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  49. ^ "Australian PGA Senior C'ship". The Sydney Morning Herald. 6 October 1997. p. 52. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  50. ^ "Australian Seniors Championship". The Sydney Morning Herald. 11 March 1996. p. 31. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  51. ^ "Golf capsules". The Courier. 11 March 1996. p. 15. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  52. ^ "National". The Canberra Times. Vol. 70, no. 21865. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 27 February 1995. p. 21. Retrieved 26 June 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  53. ^ "Peter Senior putt-putts..." The Sydney Morning Herald. 28 February 1994. p. 36. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  54. ^ "L'Estrange's winning blueprint". The Age. 28 February 1994. p. 32. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  55. ^ "National". The Canberra Times. Vol. 67, no. 21139. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 1 March 1993. p. 22. Retrieved 26 June 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  56. ^ "National results". The Canberra Times. Vol. 66, no. 20770. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 24 February 1992. p. 24. Retrieved 26 June 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  57. ^ "Australian PGA Snr C'ship". The Sydney Morning Herald. 25 February 1991. p. 41 – via Newspapers.com.
  58. ^ "Victorian by a shot in seniors". The Age. 25 February 1991. p. 27. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  59. ^ "SPORT". Canberra Times. 25 February 1991. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  60. ^ "All the way win for Sydney pro". The Age. 26 February 1990. p. 31 – via Newspapers.com.
  61. ^ "Australian PGA Seniors C'ship". The Sydney Morning Herald. 26 February 1990. p. 50 – via Newspapers.com.
  62. ^ "Aust PGA Seniors C'ship". The Sydney Morning Herald. 27 February 1989. p. 54 – via Newspapers.com.
  63. ^ "Two-shot win puts Senior on top". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2 March 1987. p. 53. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  64. ^ "The Shearer of old romps home". The Sydney Morning Herald. 3 March 1986. p. 56. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  65. ^ "Australian PGA Seniors Championship Winners List" (PDF). PGA Australia. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 June 2021.