2007 WA Second

WA LEGEND ALEX CLEAVE WINS MELVILLE GLADES SENIORS
FROM ANOTHER SENIOR LEGEND - TASMANIAN MAX ROBISON

West Australian senior golfer Alex Cleave has won the 2008 Melville Glades Senior Championship. Surprisingly, this was the first win for Alex in an Australian Senior Order of Merit event.

Cleave is a very experienced champion golfer with a lifelong career of outstanding golfing achievements. He recently represented Australia as a member of the Australian senior team that competed in New Zealand.

Round One:

A large field of nearly 70 senior golfers hit off in perfect weather for the first round of the 2008 Melville Glades Senior Championship. The course was in great shape and many expected good scoring.

As is often the case the course proved the winner with the fast greens proving a real test for many players. All agreed, however, that both the greens and the condition of the whole course were superb.

Round one honours went to NSW player Denis Dale who recorded a one under par 71 to open a two shot lead over West Australian senior legend, Alex Cleave, who returned a 73. Both players reported playing well and holing a few putts - often the difference between a good round and a disappointing one.

Tasmanian senior Max Robison continued to defy his age of 70 with a fine 76 that held down equal third place with local Melville Glades member Nigel Goodall. South Australian visitor John Beaumont made up the top five with a round of 77.

Following this top five group was a large group of 13 golfers on scores from 78 to 81. An improved score would certainly mean a big lift up the leader board for some of these players.

Round Two:

Melville Glades had again provided great weather and even a cooling wind for the second half of the day. The wind certainly changed the playing characteristics of some holes with the "into the wind" holes proving a real test.

When the pressue final nine holes began the leading players of Denis Dale, Alex Cleave and Max Robison had maintained their leads from day one to be well clear of the chasers.

There was just a single shot between these three leading players when Denis Dale withdrew suffering a recurrence of a back injury. Both Cleave and Robison then played exceptionally well over the closing holes and at the end there was just a single shot between them. Alex Cleave (73-76) was the deserving winner on 149 from Max Robison (76-74) on 150.

Queenslander Grahame MacDonald (80-74) and West Australian Bob Gamsby (79-75) both improved on their opening rounds to share third place. MacDonald and Robison had the honour of the best score of the day with their two over par 74s.

Nigel Goodall (76-79) used a little of his local knowledge to grab fifth place a single shot ahead of a group on 156 - Chris Carey (78-78), Jack Parker (79-77) and Rick Oliver (78-78).

The Melville Glades Senior Championship is a great event played on an excellent golf course. The organisation was equally as impressive and many players commented on the smooth running event. The presentations were just as impressive with a large number of high quality prizes being awarded. It was encouraging to see a strong field enter and the Melville Glades Senior Championship is one event that should grow each year.