ROUND THREE REPORT:
After holding second place after round one and two Queenslander Chris Coats held his good recent form to finish in equal second place. Coats was the star Australian in an overall result that was almost a clean sweep for Aussie senior golfers.
Coats (68-72-74 = 215) returned a final round 75 to match the final round score of the winner, David Burton, who was immediately claimed by the Aussies as one of our own. Holding joint Australian and New Zealand citizenhip Burton lives in Australia and plays at Pelican Waters in Queensland. His overall total of 211 was one over par for the 4 holes and gave him a 4 shot victory over Coats and Kiwi golfer Tony Treen (72-71-72 = 215).
Defending champion Stefan Albinski (75-73-69 = 217) improved every round to share 4th place with Kiwi Barry Shannon. The pair was one shot ahead of Victorian star Phil Wood (73-74-71 = 218) who claimed 6th place overall and first place in the 60+ age division.
A welcome surprise and new addition to senior golf was Queensland Lindsay Brown who finished in joint 8th with consistent scores of 73-70-77 = 220. This was the first senior tournament for Brown and he looks forward to his next event - the NSW Seniors at Mudgee in March. Two other Australian made the coveted Top 10 - experienced senior players New South Welshman Denis Dale (76-73-72 = 221)and Victorian Ross Percy (74-71-76 = 221).
Other Australians to finish well were Alex Cleave (73-75-75 = 223) in equal 13th place with Rick Oliver (76-72-75 = 223). Alan Evans (75-72-77 = 224) completed a good Australian result by finishing in 19th position. This gave Australia 9 players in the top 20 from an entry of 12 players. All the Australians are hopeful this good form will carry over to the Australia vs New Zealand Senior Trophy to be played at Titirangi Golf Course from February 19-21.
The Top 10 places in the 2008 NZ Senior Championship are listed below.
1 211 David Burton (Nelson GC) 66 70 75
2 215 Tony Treen (Muriwai GC) 72 71 72
2 215 Chris Coats (Peregian Springs GC) 68 72 75
4 217 Stefan Albinski (Mona Vale GC) 75 73 69
4 217 Barry Shannon (Wanganui GC) 71 74 72
6 218 Phil Wood (Victoria GC) 73 74 71
7 219 Martin Webber (Royal Wellington GC) 71 75 73
8 220 David Headland (Whitford Park GC) 73 73 74
8 220 Lindsay Brown (Keperra Country GC) 73 70 77
10 221 Denis Dale (Cabramatta GC) 76 73 72
10 221 Ross Percy (Cobram Barooga GC) 74 71 76
For full scores CLICK HERE
ROUND TWO REPORT:
Australian players again played well and with the experience gained from now having played the Akarana course a couple of times they all report being ready for strong finishes in the final round on Sunday.
Chris Coats (68-72 = 140) maintained his impressive form and his 2 over par 72 saw him hold on to his overnight second place. Round one leader David Burton was again on fire early being 4 under par after just 5 holes. He eventually finished on even par 70 and he holds a 4 shot lead over Coats.
Queenslander Lindsay Brown (73-70 = 143) impressed with a par round 70 to go with his 73 and shares third place with Kiwi Tony Treen (72-71). Victorian Ross Percy (74-71 = 145) followed his opening 74 with a solid 71 and has a share of 6th place. Other Aussies in the Top 10 included Phil Wood (73-74 = 147) and Alan Evans (75-72 = 147).
Alex Cleave (73-75 = 148) was well placed with all remaining Austalian players improving their position after round one. Stefan Albinski (75-73 =148), Rick Oliver (76-72 = 148), Denis Dale (76-73 = 149), Doug Thorp (78-76 = 154), Whippy Welington (82-69 = 151) and Geoff Davey (78-79 = 157).
Leading Round 2 scores are listed below.
136 David Burton (Nelson GC) 66 70
140 Chris Coats (Peregian Springs GC) 68 72
143 Tony Treen (Muriwai GC) 72 71
143 Lindsay Brown (Keperra Country GC)73 70
144 Frank Borren (Paraparaumu Beach GC) 71 73
145 Barry Shannon (Wanganui GC) 71 74
145 Ross Percy (Cobram Barooga GC) 74 71
146 Martin Webber (Royal Wellington GC) 71 75
146 David Headland (Whitford Park GC) 73 73
147 Phil Wood (Victoria GC) 73 74
147 Arthur Parkin (Maungakiekie GC) 74 73
147 Alan Evans (Royal Melbourne GC) 75 72
For full scores CLICK HERE
ROUND ONE REPORT:
All the talk was about much travelled Queensland senior golfer Chris Coats who showed his victory in the 2007 Australian Senior Matchplay Championship was just a sign of things to come with a par busting 68 in the opening round. Coats' two under par score could have been better with two dropped shots occurring late in the round. He trails joint citizenship holder David Burton (66) by 2 shots. Although holding both Australian and New Zealand citizenship Burton has been warmly adopted by the boxing kangaroos.
Coats was easily the leading Australian with a 5 shot margin to West Australian stylist Alex Cleave, Queensland newcomer Lindsay Brown and former Eisenhower Cup representative Phil Wood who all returned 73s. One shot behind this trio was 2007 Victorian Order of Merit winner Ross Percy (74).
Defending champion Stefan Albinski (NSW). who had amazed everyone in 2007 with an opening round of 63 (9 under par), returned a 75. Albinski is poised ready to make a strong move in round two as he strives for back-to-back victories. Alan Evans, fresh from his strong win in the 2007 Hong Kong Seniors, also returned a 75, one less than the current Australian Senior Champions Denis Dale and Rick Oliver who were once again tied with scores of 76.
Consistent Queenslander Doug Thorp reported he had a rather "untidy 78", a score he shared with non playing Australian captain Geoff Davey. Long hitting Tasmanian Bill "Whippy" Wellington had a remarkable 12 over par 82. Whippy had turned in 34 but had a few interesting holes on the homeward nine before returning a score of 48 strokes. Stewards have requested a blood sample.
Leading Round 1 scores are listed below.
66 David Burton (Nelson GC)
68 Chris Coats (Peregian Springs GC)
71 Frank Borren (Paraparaumu Beach GC)
71 Barry Shannon (Wanganui GC)
71 Martin Webber (Royal Wellington GC)
71 Peter Orgias (North Shore GC)
72 Tony Treen (Muriwai GC)
73 Lindsay Brown (Keperra Country GC)
73 David Headland (Whitford Park GC)
73 Phil Wood (Victoria GC)
73 Alex Cleave (Lake Karrinyup GC)
For full scores CLICK HERE
OVERVIEW:
Open to male golfers over the age of 50 the New Zealand Seniors Championship is the premier event on the New Zealand seniors golfing calendar. The defending champion is Australian Stefan Albinksi.
The 2008 championship has produced the best ever field with the top New Zealand players being joined by the top Australian seniors who are in the country for the Australia versus New Zealand Trophy match to be played immediately after the championship. To add even more this year the NZ championship has attracted senior golfers from England, Scotland, Hong Kong and the United States.
The leading New Zealand players over the age of 55 are playing for New Zealand selection in the 2008 Australia Senior Amateur Championship and the 2008 Asia Pacific Senior Championship. This provides added incentive for the locals over the three days of competition.
Additional information on the 2008 New Zealand Senior Championship, including a list of the previous NZ Senior Championship winners, can be found at the
New Zealand Golf Association Web Site.
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