With the new season set to start in a few weeks’ time at the Sharjah Senior Golf Masters presented by Shurooq, we take a look at five golfers to watch throughout the 2018 season…
Clark Dennis
After taking the European over-50s circuit by storm in 2017, Clark Dennis will look to carry his impressive form into the new season. He became the first American in history to win the Order of Merit, accruing earnings of more than €220,000 in the process.
Securing his card at Qualifying School at Pestana Golf & Resort in Portugal, Dennis recorded two victories, two runner-up finishes and a further four top five results in his first season on the Staysure Tour.
After a number of near misses, he secured his first Staysure Tour title at the Senior Italian Open presented by Villaverde Resort, and then won his second just two events later at the Dutch Masters. Following disappointment at both the Swiss Seniors Open and Travis Perkins Masters, Dennis displayed the mental strength of a true champion en route to lifting the John Jacobs Trophy at the end of the year.
Jarmo Sandelin
A member of The 1999 Ryder Cup side, the big-hitting Swede joined the Staysure Tour in 2017 after turning 50.
Sandelin finished inside the top 20 at all 11 regular events he played last season, his best finish coming at the Forest of Arden Marriott Hotel & Country Club when he finished fourth at the Farmfoods European Senior Masters.
Determined to secure his first victory on the over-50s circuit, Sandelin will be hoping for big things in 2018.
Peter Baker
Another former Ryder Cup player, Peter Baker acted as tournament host at his first over-50s appearance, the Farmfoods European Senior Masters.
Baker represented Europe at The 1993 Ryder Cup, and secured three points from a possible four. He partnered Ian Woosnam in a 1up victory over Jim Gallagher and Lee Janzen and a huge 6&5 success over Fred Couples and Paul Azinger. He would also defeat 2008 USA Ryder Cup Captain Corey Pavin 2up, one of just three European victories during the Sunday singles.
Baker made a promising start to life on the over-50s circuit, finishing in a share of seventh place at Forest of Arden.
Gary Orr
A two-time winner on the European Tour, Gary Orr enjoyed a promising debut year on the over-50s circuit.
Making his first appearance at the European Tour Properties Senior Classic at Linna Golf, Finland, the Scotsman finished inside the top ten, and he would back this up with 11thand tenth placed finishes in his next two events.
Making his first appearance on home soil at the Scottish Senior Open, he finished tied third after carding a final round of 63, setting a new course record at Renaissance Club.
Barry Lane’s record-breaking exploits at Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel & Country Club, carding the lowest ever round on the Staysure Tour, a 12 under par round of 60, denied Orr victory at the Willow Senior Golf Classic after carding a 17 under par total.
He finished the year strongly with a tied seventh result at the Travis Perkins Masters, and 11thplaced finishes at both the Paris Legends Championship and Dutch Masters.
James Kingston
South Africa’s James Kingston edged ever closer to his first Staysure Tour victory in 2017, finishing inside the top five on three occasions.
He started the year strongly with a tied third result at the Sharjah Senior Golf Masters presented by Shurooq, and finished in a share of fifth at both the WINSTONgolf Senior Open and Paris Legends Championship.
The 52 year old also made the cut at the BMW SA Open presented by the City of Ekurhuleni earlier this year, finishing tied 54thalongside compatriots Dean Burmester and George Coetzee.
