Hole-in-one highlights NSW Senior Masters win

Mollymook’s testing Hilltop Course provided one of the toughest challenges of 2019 for the Ladbrokes Legends Tour field at this year’s NSW Senior Masters.

With undulating tree-lined fairways drawing comparisons to the famed Augusta National, the venue has played host to the Australian Senior PGA Championships and NSW Senior PGA Championships and hopes to continue a long legacy with the PGA of Australia with the new NSW Senior Masters tournament.

Players were reminded early of the quality of the Mollymook Hilltop layout with any stray shot being fully penalised.

Victorian Tim Elliott had his radar dialled in from day one of the Ladbrokes Legends Tour tournament to take the overnight lead with a round of 2-under 70.

Elliott was one of only two players to shoot under par in the opening round thanks to a hole-in-one on the signature 17^th hole.

A strong westerly wind blew across the course in the final round making play difficult for the 61 professionals on course.

A handful of players came to the table, however, with Guy Wall, Glenn Joyner, Peter Fowler and Peter O’Malley at one stage preparing for a playoff after all finishing on 2-over par for the event in eventual second place.

A final round of even-par was enough for overnight leader Elliott to secure a four-stroke victory with a 2-under 142 total.

“This golf course is one of the best we get to play all year,” Elliott said.

“It was in amazing condition and the greens were tricky but perfect to putt on. It’s great to win the inaugural NSW Senior Masters.”

The Ladbrokes Legends Tour will head to Canberra for the Fairbairn Legends Pro-Am on Monday.

The Mollymook Golf Club was again the host of the coveted NSW PGA Senior Championship with 67 Professionals including the 2017 Champion Steve Conran vying for this year’s title.

The well renowned ‘Hilltop’ certainly is a fitting venue for the event boasting a layout that is a great test of golf along with its visual presence all of which produce that ‘big tournament’ atmosphere.

The 36 hole tournament was interrupted by an electrical storm in round two with play suspended for 90 minutes.

It was hopeful that players would be able to continue after the delay, however the lightning activity continued and it was later deemed unsafe to continue and the 2^nd round was ultimately abandoned, handing the title to the first round leader David Hando.

Hando had five birdies and two bogies in his first round to return a 3-under par score of 69. Hando credited part of his winning form to a renewed practice energy after a recent winning speech from fellow professional Lucien Tinkler.

Mike Zilko finished runner-up one stroke behind after firing a fine round of 70, with a quartet of players Bryan Wearne, Peter Senior, Michael Holden and Brad Burns a further shot back tied for 3^rd place with 71.

Neil Wall won the Super Seniors trophy for the 65 year and over section with a fine score of 72. Paul Dalgleish recorded a hole in one on the par 3 5^th hole during the second round prior to the round being abandoned.

The stars of the Ladbrokes Legends Tour will again make their way to the Shoalhaven Region to play in the NSW Senior PGA Championship at Mollymook (Hilltop Course).

Some of Australia’s greatest tournament winners will be amongst a strong field of 68 professionals vying for a share of the $25,000 in prize money.

Headlining the field is Peter Senior who has been a great supporter of the Ladbrokes Legends Tour since finishing on the PGA Champions Tour in 2016.

Senior has 34 wins worldwide to his name including an incredible 23 here on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia. Joining him will be other Australian greats like Rodger Davis, Michael Harwood, Peter Lonard and defending champion Steve Conran.

At the moment the hottest player on the circuit is Lucien Tinkler who has recently won back to back events at the Bermagui Legends Pro-Am and the Catalina Legends Pro-Am.

With his recent form, he gives himself a good chance of upstaging his more fancied rivals.

“It’s great to be in good form this time of year because we have a really solid run of events over the next month. I try and keep my game simple with all of my focus on what I’m doing and not worrying too much about the other players," said Tinkler.

"I’ve always loved the challenge that the Mollymook Course presents and even though we only get back here once a year I feel I know the golf course very well. All parts of my game are in good knick at the moment so I hope I can continue the good form into the coming weeks."

The NSW Senior PGA Championship tees off on Friday 19^th October and will conclude on Saturday 20^th October. For locals of the Shoalhaven Region, this is a great opportunity to see some of the greats of Australian golf with free entry both days.

“We are delighted to have the NSW PGA Seniors Championships in the Shoalhaven and welcome all the enthusiastic golfers," said Shoalhaven City Council Mayor, Amanda Findley.

“We wish everyone the best of luck in the competition and hope they get an opportunity to enjoy the Shoalhaven’s amazing bushland, scenic beaches and the hospitality of our villages.”

The NSW Senior PGA is sanctioned on the Ladbrokes Legends Tour. The event is hosted by the Hilltop Course at Mollymook and supported by the Shoalhaven City Council.

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