For sixteen years, the MGA Senior Tour has provided well-organized competitive tournaments for senior golfers, 55 years and older. What started with just one section with 230 golfers in 1996 has grown to five sections (Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western and Super Senior) with over 800 golfers in 2011. Each section is limited to 210 players and offers ten 18-hole individual play events hosted by courses in a regional area specific to the section except for the Super Senior section offering eight events primarily located in the metro area. A player may opt to play in ANY ONE of the sections regardless of where he lives, but he cannot play in more than one of the sections unless he is 70 years or older. Players 70 years old and up can have a Dual membership** in the Super Senior section and one of the other sections. There are also four all section events* for fun overnight trips hosted by clubs in a wide range of regions in the state.

*All section events are not open to Super Senior players unless they have a Dual membership in one of the other sections.

In each event, players compete in Senior (55-64) and Master (65 & up) divisions except for the Super Senior section with one division. A player's division is determined by his age as of May 1 of the current year. For Super Seniors, players must turn 70 anytime during the current year. Events are played in stableford format with prizes awarded for net and gross scores. Along with event prizes, players accumulate performance points throughout the season for strong finishes in events. After the last individual event is held, overall performance points are determined with the top performers from each section qualifying for the Senior Tour Finals.

The MGA Senior Tour is open to amateur golfers who:

• Are current Associate Members of the Minnesota Golf Association and whose club is an MGA member.
   
• Have reached their 55th birthday prior to May 1 of the current year for the regular Senior Tour and for the
  Super Senior section have reached their 70th birthday anytime during the year 2012.
   
• Have a Handicap Index or 24.4 or less, except for the Super Senior section which requires no handicap index limit
  **Super Senior DUAL members are required to have a handicap index of 24.4 or less.

Senior Tour membership registration for the 2012 season begins Monday, February 6. The Senior Tour membership fee is $55 (Northern, Southern, Eastern Western), $40 (Super Senior), or $80 (Dual membership - Super Senior plus one other section). Players can apply online with a credit card or mail in an application with payment.

For further questions regarding the MGA Senior Tour or to be added to the 2012 distribution list, please contact:
Karen Spruth, karen@mngolf.org or 952-345-3978
Joel Comstock, joel@mngolf.org or 952-345-3968 

To view a Senior Tour Informational Video (click here).

The 2011 Senior Tour Finals were held at Somerset Country Club on September 22. The Senior Tour Finals Champions are shown in the first photo below (from left to right): Mike Cleland (Overall Gross), Bob Gardiner (Master Gross), John Silliman (Overall Net), Patrick Deutsch (Senior Net), Bruce Odlaug (Master Net), and Charles Kost (Senior Gross).

The 2011 Super Senior Finals were held at Edina Country Club on September 20. The Champions are pictured in the second photo below from left to right, David Haugan (Gross) and Dennis Hurley (Net).