The Lower South East Veteran Golfers Association held its 2021 Getaway in the Barossa Valley from Sunday April 11th to Friday April 16th.

No less than  46 Golfers took part in a week of golf and fun, with many  new friendships being forged. South East Golf Clubs represented were Millicent, Mount Gambier, Blue Lake, Robe, Kingston, Naracoorte, Lucindale and Beachport.

The majority of the group were based in Nuriootpa at the Vine Inn Hotel, while some stayed in their caravans at Nuriootpa and Tanunda Caravan Parks. Golfers played at Barossa Valley Golf Club on Monday and Wednesday, Sandy Creek Golf Club on Tuesday and Tanunda Pines Golf Club on Thursday.

A Stableford Competition was played on each of the four days, while the non-golfers enjoyed exploring the Barossa area. David Douglas of Mount Gambier won the opening round with 41 points followed by Millicent’s Owen Merrett with 37 points.

Millicent’s Mardi Sunderland was the top women’s scorer with 31 points, one ahead of Kingston’s Wendy Pitt. Hope Bliss from Mount Gambier had an eagle on the Par 5, first hole, playing her 3rd shot from the bunker into the hole.

At Sandy Creek Golf Club in windy, dusty and wet conditions Millicent’s Brian Thomson overcame Kingston’s Brenton Pitt on a count-back after the pair both scored 35 points. Mount Gambier’s Hope Bliss won the women’s with 35 points, followed by Kingston’s Rosie Wright on 32 points.

Players returned to Barossa Valley Golf Club and Millicent’s Doug Robbins was awarded the win ahead of Attamurra’s David Douglas after they both scored 36 points. Women’s went to Mardi Sunderland again, just one point ahead of Wendy Pitt.

At Tanunda Pines Golf Club Mount Gambier’s David McPherson won the men’s on a count-back. He scored34 points, the same amount as Mike Atwell.

Sunderland and Rosie Wright both carded 31 points in the women’s. The Overall winners after four days and 72 holes of golf were Mount Gambier’s David Douglas with 136 points, followed by Robe’s Ian Regnier on 134 points and Millicent’s Brian Duldig 132.

The Ross Orchard Trophy winner for the week was Graham Warren. Women’s winner was Mardi Sunderland with 121 points. Equal Runners up were Mount Gambier’s Marie Douglas and Kingston’s Rosie Wright with 118 points.

The teams event winners were David Douglas – Mount Gambier, Bob Childs – Millicent, Neil Quirk – Mount Gambier and Owen Merrett – Millicent – 483 points.

Runners up for the teams event were John Shirley, Mike Atwell, Kym Sutherland – all Mount Gambier and David Seymour – Millicent with 467 points.