Last Friday's announcement that LIV Golf Adelaide was heading the way of Kooyonga Golf Club in 2027 wasn't the only thing that course superintendent Richard James and his crew were celebrating last week. The LIV announcement topped off what proved to be a week of revelry after one of their own tasted individual success on the golf course a few days earlier.

Over the Adelaide Labour Day long weekend, second year apprentice Lachlan Oakes (pictured), who is doing his Certificate III in Sports Turf Management through the ASTMA, secured his maiden Kooyonga club championship title. It was a huge weekend for the 18-year-old who has only been a Kooyonga member for just over a year after coming across from Thaxted Park.

After 36 qualifying holes on Saturday, Oakes finished in the top eight which saw him through to the finals starting on Sunday, navigating two further rounds of match play in the morning and afternoon to secure a position in the Monday final. Played over 36 holes, Oakes triumphed in the final over Kooyonga men's pennant player Freddie Cassell in a closely fought match 2&1.

“Everyone is super chuffed for Lachy,” says James. “We gave him the Tuesday off so he could celebrate and I walked into the lunchroom on Wednesday and he had the trophy sitting there on the table next to him. It was a great result and everybody is really proud of him. I’m pretty sure the club will snaffle him for pennant now!”

Story: Brett Robinson; Photo: Kooyonga GC