Champ to lead coup

Mark Griffin, Club Captain James Coughlin, Ian Hollingsworth and Alex McKay from Cardinia Beaconhills Golf Links prepare to host the Victorian Senior Open. 70350 Picture: Nigel Clements

By David Nagel
FORMER Australian champion cricketer Dean Jones will contest the $20,000 Victorian Senior Open Golf Championship at Cardinia Beaconhills Links this month.
The staging of the event has been described as “a real coup” for Cardinia Beaconhills Golf Links, led by president Alex McKay and his hard-working committee.
More importantly, it’s a huge tick of approval for the quality of the course – and the facilities at the club.
Cardinia Beaconhills Links sponsors the E.J. Whitten Foundation – and $2000 from the event will be donated to the Foundation, which promotes awareness of prostate cancer and men’s health.
Jones, a low single figure handicap golfer, is dipping his toe in the water to see if he can make the cut on the senior tour.
This is the fourth staging of the event, the three previous editions being held at the picturesque The Dunes in Rye.
The honour roll of winners – Mike Ferguson (2008), Mike Clayton (2009) and defending champion, New Zealander Craig Owen, pre-empt another quality tournament this time around.
Notables to join Ferguson on the entry list this year include 2010 runner-up Ossie Moore, New Zealand’s Jim Lapsley, who has triumphed five times on the senior tour this year, 2009 runner-up John Clifford, Terry Price, Trevor McDonald and Lucien Tinkler, who early in the year fired a blistering 63 at Phillip Island.
Cardinia Beaconhills professional Mark Griffin will also compete on his home turf.
Business Development Manager Ian Hollingsworth said the club was excited to be hosting the event.
“It’s exciting for the club, the Legends Tour is the fastest growing segment of the PGA and it’s a great opportunity to showcase both the players and our club,” Hollingsworth said.
“We’re close to one of the fastest growing areas in Victoria, so we hope this event will assist in helping those new to the area understand what a great 27 hole golf facility we have here.”
Hollingsworth is also confident the ‘hills’ course will provide a great test and pleasurable experience for all who contest the event.
“The course is in terrific condition and the golf will be of very high standard, all we need now is some warm and sunny weather, to allow our members, and the general public to come along and watch some fine golf,” Hollingsworth added.
“The event will run as a lead-in to the Cardinia Shire Senior Festival, which commences on 2 October.”
Played over two days – 29 and 30 September – the Senior Open brings together the cream of Australia’s senior golfers, plus a pinch of overseas talent to enrich the flavour of the event.