West Lakes Classic Explained

West Lakes Classic
Establishment:	1975
Tour:	PGA Tour of Australasia
Format:	Stroke play
Final Year:	1982
Final Champion:	Ian Stanley

The West Lakes Classic was a golf tournament held in the Adelaide area of South Australia from 1975 to 1982.

History

The event was historically sponsored by the Commercial Bank of Australia. In 1982 it was merged into a new bank called Westpac and the event was called the Westpac Classic in its final year. Prize money was A$20,000 in 1975, A$35,000 in 1976, A$50,000 in 1977, A$60,000 in 1978, A$65,000 in 1979, A$75,000 in 1980, A$80,000 in 1981 and A$100,000 in 1982.

The event is perhaps best known as the site of Greg Norman's first professional victory. Norman still regards this as his most important win.^{[1] [2]}

Winners

Year	Winner	Country	Venue	Score	To par	Margin of victory	Runner(s)-up	Winner's share (A$)	Ref
Westpac Classic
1982				285	−7	3 strokes		18,000	^[3]
CBA West Lakes Classic
1981			Royal Adelaide	285	−7	Playoff^1		14,400	^[4]
1980				285	−3	2 strokes		15,000	^[5]
1979			The Grange	285	−3	2 strokes		13,000	^[6] ^[7]
1978			The Grange	280	−4	2 strokes		12,000	^[8]
1977	Bob Shearer (2)		The Grange	271	−13	6 strokes		10,000	^[9]
West Lakes Classic
1976			The Grange	271	−13	5 strokes		7,000	^[10] ^[11]
1975			The Grange	282	−2	Playoff^2		4,000	^[12]

¹ In 1981, Darcy won at the first extra hole.
² In 1975, Shearer won at the third extra hole.

Notes and References

1. Final Shot with Greg Norman . Hong Kong Golfer . 6 August 2014 . 73–74. 2020-01-03.
2. Interviews: Top Gun . Verdi . Bob . Golf Digest . 25 June 2007 . 2020-01-03.
3. News: Classic goes to Stanley . . 57 . 17,201 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 1 November 1982 . 7 May 2017 . 18 . National Library of Australia.
4. News: Darcy forced into play-off for Westlakes classic win . . 56 . 16,831 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 26 October 1981 . 7 May 2017 . 18 . National Library of Australia.
5. News: A few frights but Newcastle's Shaw ties up the title . . 55 . 16,468 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 27 October 1980 . 7 May 2017 . 19 . National Library of Australia.
6. News: Graham wins, 3 under . . 54 . 16,105 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 29 October 1979 . 7 May 2017 . 14 . National Library of Australia.
7. News: October 29, 1973 . Graham cashes in on Shearer's bogeys . 2020-12-18 . The Age . AAP . 42.
8. News: A calm Grady takes classic . . 53 . 15,744 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 30 October 1978 . 7 May 2017 . 16 . National Library of Australia.
9. News: Shearer wins West Lake with a final round of 67 . . 52 . 14,919 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 31 October 1977 . 7 May 2017 . 14 . National Library of Australia.
10. News: Norman holds on to win golf title . . 51 . 14,518 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 25 October 1976 . 7 May 2017 . 11 . National Library of Australia.
11. News: No catching golf rookie . The Sydney Morning Herald . 25 October 1976 . 21 . 2021-07-09.
12. News: Shearer's eyes on Paris gold . . 6 October 1975 . 24.