The Creme de la creme of legend tour Professionals gathered in Victoria last month for the Victorian leg of the E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour, in what was a successful two-week stint in the southern, eastern and central parts of the state.

Former Major winner Ian Baker-Finch joined a host of well-known Australian Legend Professionals including former Alfred Dunhill Cup winner (1986) and US PGA Champions Tour winner (2003), Rodger Davis, European Open winner (1991), Mike Harwood, and New Zealand Open winner (2004), Terry Price, as they battled it out in eight Order of Merit tournaments across the Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley and Central Victoria regions.

Vying for $105,000 in prize money, South African Chris Williams, who finished in the top-20 on the European Senior Tour last year, came out with all guns blazing to produced three victories.

His first victory came at the ProCon Gardiner’s Run Legends Pro-Am in Lilydale where he
equalled the course record of 8-under 64 in a round that included six birdies and an eagle to take the title.

A 2-under 70 at the Northern Health Foundation Annual Corporate Seniors Pro-Am at Growling Frog Golf Course in Yan Yean was enough to tie for victory with Peter Woodward, before finishing things off in Heathcote where a 7-under 64 saw a four shot victory over Victorian Tim Elliott to claim the City of Greater Bendigo Heathcote Legends Pro-Am.

These victories were the kick-start the South African needed, after wrapping up his 2015 European Senior Tour campaign with a T3 finish at the MCB Tour Championship in Mauritius; ranking him at 17 on the European Senior Tour Order of Merit and securing an unconditional card for 2017.

If it wasn’t for the E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour, Williams, who has played on the Tour since 2013, believes he wouldn’t have kept his card on the European Senior Tour if it wasn’t for the competition in Australia, which played a vital role in honing his talents in the lead up to MCB Tour Championship.

"I thank the E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour for the opportunity it gave me to sharpen my skills before the MCB Tour Championship," said Williams.

"I don’t believe I would have kept my card if it wasn’t for the competition in Australia, I finished 3rd in Mauritius and retained my playing privilege for 2016."

The E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour is the Professional golf circuit for Professional golfers aged 50 and over. Approximately 80 tournaments operate throughout Australia and The Pacific regions with over AU$1 million in prize money on offer each year.

Former Major Championship winners Wayne Grady (US PGA) and Ian Baker-Finch (The Open), along with Australian golfing legends such as Peter Fowler, Michael Harwood, Michael Clayton and Peter Senior all feature regularly on the E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour.

The PGA of Australia welcomes new events on the E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour. Golf clubs who are interested in running a E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour event are encouraged to contact Andy Rogers, Legends Tour Coordinator, at the PGA on 03 8320 1992 or [email protected] for further information.