Age is no barrier for 87-year-old golfer Helena Kotasek

The 2019 Australian Masters Games Golf competition commenced in style over the Greg Norman designed East Course at the Grange Golf Club on Monday 7 October.

106 men and women golfers from 59 different golf clubs from all over Australia teed up in the stableford competition which saw gold, silver and bronze medals awarded across nine separate age, gender and handicap categories.

On a fine and mild day at the host venue for this year’s ISPS Handa Australian Women’s Open, the best men’s score was returned by Luke Lorraine from the TPI and Veterans Golf Club with a score of 41 points in the Men’s 30-49 age group. Wendy Cousins from Moora Lake View Golf Club in Western Australia had the best women’s score with 38 points in taking out the Women’s 70 and over group.

Other gold medallists were:

• Women – 30-59 – Nerida Saunders (North Adelaide) – 35 points
• Women – 60-69 (A Grade) – Libby Broomhead (The Grange) – 33 points
• Women – 60-69 (B Grade) – Jane Belcher (Nepean Women’s) – 37 points
• Men – 50-59 – David Foster (The SGA) – 36 points
• Men – 60-69 (A Grade) – Geoffrey Wilson (Victor Harbor) – 37 points
• Men 60-69 (B Grade) – Dennis Ashton (Nambucca Heads) – 39 points
• Men 70 and over – Derek Trusler (Nowra) – 31 points

Whilst all winners were rightfully thrilled at being awarded the stylish medals as part of the event, perhaps the day’s best story belonged to 87-year-old Helena Kotasek who was the silver medallist in the women’s 70 and over category from a handicap of 45.

A once a week player with ARPA Golf, a group of older golfers that routinely rotate around a number of Adelaide courses, Kotasek has competed in previous Australian Masters Games and loves the experience.

“I especially like meeting other golfers from all over Australia and just playing golf. I don’t see my age as a barrier at all,” she commented.

“I’m so pleased to have won this medal, it’s really beautiful. We had such a lovely day too.”

Golf is indeed the game for life and the 2019 Australian Masters Games golf program continues on Wednesday with a further stableford competition at the picturesque Mount Compass Golf Club, around 45 minutes south of Adelaide before concluding on Friday with the stroke event at West Lakes Golf Club.