SA Seniors Classic 2025 Preview

Bowland Salisbury will welcome some of Australia’s top senior and grand senior bowlers this weekend as the 2025 SA Seniors Classic prepares to take centre stage in Adelaide.

Now in its 22nd edition, the SA Seniors Classic is the third nationally ranked event of the 2025 TBA Senior and Grand Senior seasons, following the successful completion of the Hammer Queensland Senior Classic and the John Sullivan Senior Australian Open.

Competitors will once again take on the challenging format of 16 games across two appearances, with the highest total pinfall determining who lifts the trophy on Sunday.

Women’s Senior Division: A New Champion Awaits

The story of the season so far has been Dena Buxton’s dominance, with the Victorian claiming victory in the first two senior events of the year. However, Buxton has become a late scratching for this event, guaranteeing a new champion will be crowned in South Australia.

Two of the season’s standout performers, Samantha Matthews and Lee Booth, both arrive in strong form, each boasting over 100 ranking points. A win this weekend would propel either bowler into the top spot on the rankings leaderboard.

Defending champion Mary Dodds also returns to familiar territory. The two-time SA Seniors Classic winner (including last year’s title) sits fifth in the rankings and will look to build on her momentum in an event where she has enjoyed past success.

Men’s Senior Division: Eyes on the Top Spot

In the men’s division, Alan Notman returns to defend the title he won in 2024 — his first nationally ranked title. Meanwhile, Queenslander Graeme Morgan leads the men’s senior rankings after a consistent start to the season, including a top-five finish at Hammer and a over 60’s division win at the John Sullivan Senior Australian Open which he finished with the highest pinfall for any division.

George Frilingos and Andrew Lloyd, both above the 100-point mark in the rankings, round out a strong top three, with plenty at stake in what promises to be a tightly contested weekend.

Women’s Grand Senior Division: Can Anyone Catch Heather?

Queensland’s Heather Robertson has been the benchmark in the women’s grand senior division so far in 2025. After claiming maximum points with a win at the Hammer and finishing as the top Grand Senior at the John Sullivan (fifth overall), she heads to Adelaide eyeing a perfect three-from-three start to the season.

However, the chasing pack is close behind. Julie Harrison (160 points), last year’s SA Classic Grand Senior champion, Robyn Bull (130), and Kerry Kennedy (105) are all within striking distance. A strong performance from any of them could see a shake-up at the top of the standings.

Men’s Grand Senior Division: Jim Leads the Charge

New South Wales’ Jim Bakirtzidis has made a strong early claim in the men’s grand senior division, tallying 180 points after a runner-up finish at the Hammer and finishing with the highest pinfall among Grand Seniors at the John Sullivan.

Two more bowlers over 100 points will be aiming to make up ground this weekend. Last year’s Grand Senior winner David Farquharson (135 points) and Jim Karakostas (101) are both well positioned to climb the ladder with a standout result in South Australia.

A Storied History

Since its inception in 2003, the SA Seniors Classic has become a cornerstone of the national senior bowling calendar. The event’s first champions were Queensland’s Barry Morgan and TBA Hall of Famer Jeanette Baker — the latter going on to etch her name in history by winning 12 of the event’s first 13 editions, including an astonishing nine consecutive victories from 2003 to 2011.

As the tournament celebrates its 22nd running, the stage is once again set for history to be made.

Tenpin Bowling Australia extends its best wishes to all bowlers competing in this year’s event. Good luck and high scoring at the 2025 SA Seniors Classic!

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