ROUND ONE REPORT
A high quality field of 160 players were ready for competition on a beautifully presented Bribie Island Golf Course. The field included 17 of the current top 20 players on the Australian Senior Order of Merit plus several New Zealand seniors who made the trip to challenge for the prestigious title of 2008 Queensland Senior Champion.
The weather was perfect and the scoring reflected this with the round one leaders being regular contender in this event Queensland's Michael Maher , a welcome newcomer to senior golf Colin Hallam (QLD) who was playing in his first event and the very experienced and high quality player Kiwi Michael Leitch. This trio recorded even par rounds of 72.
Close behind on one over par 73 was group of pre tournament favourites for the championship - defending 2007 champion Brian Sams (NSW), current Australian Senior Champion Stefan Albinski (NSW) and previous two time Australian champion and 2006 Queensland champion Rodney Barltrop (NZ).
A shot further away was South Australia's John Beaumont who continued his recent good form to return a 74. This score was matched by the experienced NSW player Tony Kennings who was making a welcome return after some health issues caused him to miss defending his title at the 2008 Northern Territory Senior Championship. The third player on 74 was West Australian senior star and Order of Merit top 10 player Nigel Goodall.
1. 72 MAHER Michael (QLD)
1. 72 HALLAM Colin (QLD)
1. 72 LEITCH Michael (NZ)
4. 73 BARLTROP Rodney (NZ)
4. 73 SAMS Brian
4. 73 ALBINSKI Stefan (NSW)
7. 74 KENNINGS Tony (NSW)
7. 74 BEAUMONT John (SA)
7. 74 GOODALL Nigel (WA)
Exactly 50 players recorded scores under 80 in round one.
ROUND TWO REPORT
Another perfect day weather wise and with the experience gained after round one many players were hopeful of improved scores. Rodney Barltrop certainly took advantage of some great iron play and his 3 under par 69 moved him into the lead. The 69 was nearly matched by Stefan Albinksi who birdied the last for a 2 under par 70 and second place overall, just a single stroke behind Barltrop.
Round one leader Michael Maher played another solid round and after a score of 75 for a total of 147 and outright third place but the gap was 5 shots. One shot further away in equal fourth place on 148 was John Beaumont who is becoming known as "Mr Consistency" after rounds of 74 and 74. Brian Sams, who was disappointed to finish with an uncharacteristic double bogey, had a round of 75 that saw him in equal fourth position. It was considered unlikely that the winner would come from outside these top five players.
Tony Kennings had another fine round and his 75 gave him a 36 hole total of 148 and sixth place. South Australian Tony Mazzone was a big mover on the day and his par round of 72 gave him a 36 hole total of 150 and seventh place. He was joined by West Australian Mal Roberts who matched his opening 75 with another. Queenslander Peter Terrace recovered from a misbehaving putter in round one and his second round 73 gave him a total of 151 and he sneaked inside the top 10 in 9th place.
Other highlights from round two were the return to form of Australian golfing legend Phil Billings. "Bilko" showed his real form for a great round of 73. Just as impressive was the 74 from fellow Queenslander and Sanctuary Cove member Barry Miles. Ray Adams and Darryl Wilkins were others to record scores of 74 and they moved up the leader board with these excellent rounds. The evergreen Queenslander Norm Way reminded everyone that he can still play with 75-77 to make up the Top 10.
1. 142 BARLTROP Rodney (NZ) 73-69
2. 143 ALBINSKI Stefan (NSW) 73-70
3. 147 MAHER Michael (QLD) 72-75
4. 148 BEAUMONT John (SA) 74-74
5. 148 SAMS Brian (NSW) 73-75
5. 149 KENNINGS Tony (NSW) 74-75
7. 150 MAZZONE Tony (SA) 78-72
7. 150 ROBERTS Mal (WA) 75-75
9. 151 TERRACE Peter (QLD) 78-73
10. 152 WILKINS Darryl (QLD) 78-74
10. 152 WAY Norm (QLD) 75-77
48 players recorded scores under 80 in round two.
ROUND THREE REPORT
Bribie Island decided to change a little and players awoke to rain and windy weather. The course would definitely be harder and with tees moved back a little and pins in the tougher positions it was going to be a real test for all players and especially for those in the pressure position of the final few groups.
It was not long into the final round when it became very clear that the championship would be fought out between Rodney Barltrop and Stefan Albinski. Barltrop gained the early lead and Albinski needed a few good par saving putts to stay in touch as Barltrop played almost flawless golf. When Barltrop holed a beautiful 50 metre pitch on the par 5 12th hole for eagle he was four under par and three strokes in front of Albinski.
As is often the case the momentum switched and Barltrop had a a string of bogies while Albinski managed to make several great recovery shots for pars. As they stood on the final tee they were locked together and the pressure was very evident.
Barltrop drove straight but Albinski found the bushes and there was a strong chance he would have no shot at all. Luckily he had a shot and managed a neat pitch back to the fairway. Barltrop came up short with his second and Albinksi played his third to the front edge of the green. Barltrop needed to pitch in close but once again he came up short. Both players then two putted and remained tied on 215 (1 under par for the 54 holes). Playoff!
The play off began on the very difficult tenth hole - a long par four. Both players drove well but Barltrop's long second found the greenside bunker. Albinksi played a great hybrid iron that ran to 25 feet from the pin. Barltrop had a difficult bunker shot with very little green and had no choice but to attempt a very precise bunker shot. Unfortunately he failed to get out of the bunker and soon after Albinksi putted close and tapped in to win the championship. Both player should be very proud of a great tournament - finishing under par after 54 holes on the Bribie Island course was a magnificent effort.
Defending champion Brian Sams (NSW) finished third after a closing round of 76. Sams is such a good golfer that he could feel disappointed with his total score of 224 and a margin of 9 strokes from the winner. South Australian John Beaumont finished fourth and after his runner up performance at Alice Springs recently he has moved well up the Order of Merit and now occupies seventh position on the table. Queenslander Michael Maher rounded out the top five with a total of 227.
The difficult conditions on the final day revealed just what a tough course Bribe Island is and only 21 players managed to score under 80. Players who managed this included Tony Kennings (79), Colin Hallam (76), Michael Leitch (79), Rick Oliver (76) and Phillip Daley (77). They filled sixth, seventh and eight spots. Barry Miles (78) and and Nigel Goodall (78) tied for eleventhplace, just missing the top ten.
The next four places were filled by Tony Mazzone, Mal Roberts, Peter Terrace and Norm Way. All of these golfers should be very pleased as a top ranked finish in this strong field was a meritorious performance.
The 2009 Australian Senior Championship is to be played at the Bribie Island course and seniors looking for accommodation close to the course are advised to do so as early as possible.
1. 215 ALBINSKI Stefan (NSW) 73-70-72 * PLAYOFF
2. 215 BARLTROP Rodney (NZ) 73-69-73
3. 224 SAMS Brian (NSW) 73-75-76
4. 226 BEAUMONT John (SA) 74-74-78
5. 227 MAHER Michael (QLD) 72-75-80
6. 228 KENNINGS Tony (NSW) 74-75-79
7. 229 HALLAM Colin (QLD) 72-81-76
8. 230 LEITCH Michael (NZ) 72-79-79
8. 230 OLIVER Rick (NSW) 75-79-76
8. 230 DALEY Phillip (NSW) 76-77-77
11. 231 MILES Barry (QLD) 79-74-78
11. 231 GOODALL Nigel (WA) 74-79-78
13. 232 MAZZONE Tony (SA) 78-72-82
13. 232 ROBERTS Mal (WA) 75-75-82
13. 232 TERRACE Peter (QLD) 78-73-81
13. 232 WAY Norm (QLD) 75-77-80
21 players recorded scores under 80 in round three.
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