Kingston Heath’s Gordon Claney has carded the best round of PM bracket, a two-over par 74 in testing conditions at Murray Downs Golf and Country Club Resort.
On an afternoon when the wind was gusting up to 35km/h, the accomplished Victorian held his nerve with a controlled display of golf.
Beginning on the 10th, Claney was mechanical in his approach, reeling off eight straight pars to start before making his first blemish of the day on the par 4 18th.
With the winds strengthening, Claney battled hard, dropping shots on the 4th and 6th, before bouncing back with his only birdie of the day on the par four 8th.
A par on the last was all that was needed for the Australian Senior representative to take a share of the clubhouse lead.
Davey Sitting Pretty With Early Lead
A retired police officer from South Australia leads midway through the first round of the NSW Senior Amateur Championship at Murray Downs Golf and Country Club.
John Davey, from Tea Tree Gully Golf Club, carded a two-over par 74 in windy conditions to hold a one-shot lead over Shoalhaven Head’s Ian Asbury. Five golfers including Steve Puskaric, Dave Robb, John Karren, Ian McCleary and Mark Pearson are another shot back.
Davey was thrilled with his effort post round especially after a less than stellar start.
“I got off to a poor start, three over after two holes. I made a birdie to get one back and ground it out from there.
“After that start, I’m very happy to have finished with 74.”
The four-time Australian Representative said entering the senior ranks had given him a whole new perspective on his golf.
“Getting to 55 was the rebirth of my golf. Before it was just a walk around now suddenly there is something to play for and people to compete against.”
Davey described his career as a mix of all-sorts, saying he had ‘picked up a couple of South Australian Vardon events over the years’ as well as the South Australian Senior Amateur title in 2017. The NSW Senior Amateur Title, however, would be quite an addition to his playing resume.
“I think I’m known as one of those third to sixth finishers.
“I’m known for my consistency.
Davey said it would be a nice title to win especially with this quality of the field.
“All the big guns are here, except Lester (Peterson) who was working, so a win against the quality of this field would be something special.”
Senior Amateur Underway at Murray Downs
Grey skies and a brisk southwesterly has greeted the field on the opening day of the NSW Senior Amateur at Murray Downs Golf & Country Club.
South Australian John Davey has returned a two-over par 74 to lead Shoalhaven Head’s Ian Asbury by a shot. Kogarah Steve Puskaric, Corowa’s David Robb,Ian McCleary of Korringal, and Mona Viale duo Mark Pearson and John Karren are tied for third another shot back.
The afternoon half of the field is about to tee off and there will plenty of interest in the results of Comealla’s Greg Rhodes, and Kingston Heath’s Gordon Claney.
Ken Brewer of Lynwood Country Club will be another player to watch, the NSW Order of Merit Champion came close to claiming the crown last year at Nambucca Heads.
