AUSTRALIA WINS THE TEAMS EVENT
STEFAN ALBINSKI CLAIMS THE INDIVIDUAL TITLE
AFTER PLAYOFF WITH BRIAN SAMS
at 2008 ASIA PACIFIC SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP
Final Round:
A very hot and humid day with the only thing hotter being the Australian Senior Team! There was a definite air of excitement and anticipation as players prepared for the final round of the championship.
Australian Scores:
Rick Oliver - 70,80,79 "Just being in the team is great but to be the captain of the winning team is fantastic. I could not be happier. This is one of my best moments in golf!" Denis Dale - 77,76,74 "Tried twice before to win this event and finished second both times. I am thrilled and enjoyed a great week with a team of great guys." Ross Percy - 82,80,74 "Winning is a great reward for a great team of golfers and even greater friends. I was tired of the early breakfasts and eating on my own after my first two rounds." Brian Sams - 76,74,71 "This is my fourth Asia Pacific Championship and the first in a winning team. It is a great feeling!" Nigel Goodall - 77,74,79 "The caddy was perfect but my game just couldn't match her (Maureen) effort today. Winning this championship is a great thrill for both of us" Stefan Albinksi - 73,75,73 "This is the first time I have represented Australia. I am very proud to be part of the team. Well played to all and especially Brian." also
Peter McGregor - 82,81,76 "Great to see Aussies win everything. Well done Team Australia!"
Australia won the team event by 23 shots from the arch rivals New Zealand with The Philippines in third place.
Stefan Albinski was the winner of the individual championship defeating Brian Sams in a sudden death play off with a birdie at the second extra hole. Albinski and Sams had finished tied at 5 over par for 54 holes and certainly laid a great foundation for the Australian team.
Next best Australian was Denis Dale who improved every day to take eighth place. Rick Oliver set the standard with his opening round of 70 before finishing in tenth place. Nigel Goodall played consistent golf with a very good 74 in round two helping set up Australia's good lead in to the final day. Nigel finished eleventh while Ross Percy left his best to last and with the pressure really on he responded with a great round of 74. Ross finished in nineteenth place.
Full details of every round are available on the Asia Pacific Web site - click here. Tonight the Aussie team will attend the official championship dinner and will be a very proud team when they accept their championship medals. There will probably be a couple of drinks as well!
Round Two:
Play commenced at 7:00 a.m. and it wa another perfect day in Sabah. Last night's bar-b-que was outstsnding with the Malaysian hospitality and food something special.
Australian Scores:
Rick Oliver - 70,80 "I am looking for band-aids for my wrists! Let it get away with a triple."
Denis Dale - 77,76 "Still struggling on the greens - hopefully I can learn by tomorrow"
Ross Percy - 82,80 "Another round to forget. Might borrow Rick's band-aids!"
Brian Sams - 76,74 "Played steady and happy with 74."
Nigel Goodall - 77,74 "Very pleased with 74 considering the problems with my caddy (again!)"
Stefan Albinksi - 73,75 "Lucky to shoot 75. Not my best day at the office!" also
Peter McGregor - 82,81 "I have no idea on the greens - but I am enjoying Malaysia"
Australia leads the team event by 17 shots from the arch rivals, New Zealand with The Philippines two shots away in third place. All the round one and two scores are available on the Asia Pacific Web site - click here. Tonight the Aussie teams heads into town for a look around but not too late a night! Perhaps we can celebrate tomorrow?
Round One:
Play commenced at 7:00 a.m. to try and beat the heat but it was still a hot and humid start to the tournament. Fortunately the rain stayed away. Last night's opening ceremony and cocktail party was a great success.
Australian Scores:
Rick Oliver - 70 "I played very well, one loose shot and one bogey all day."
Denis Dale - 77 "21 putts the first nine made it a real struggle but hung on for 5 over."
Ross Percy - 82 "A round to forget. Too many poor shots and holed nothing."
Brian Sams - 76 "An early triple bogey hurt but battled on and pleased to help the team."
Nigel Goodall - 77 "Hit the ball well from tee to green but too many putts on the grainy greens."
Stefan Albinksi - 73 "Played solidly and did make some nice putts when I needed them." also
Peter McGregor - 82 "Glad to be playing in another Asia Pacific Championship."
Australia leads the team event by 5 shots from the arch rivals, New Zealand. All the round one scores are available on the Asia Pacific Web site - click here. Tonight the celebrations continue with an official barb-b-que for all competitors.
Official Practice Day:
The greens were cut a little lower but the heavy overnight rain meant they were still slowish and reading the grain was still most important for speed of puuts. Course officials were evident on the course deciding on the best pin placements and there were green staff on almost every hole making sure everything was just right for the start of play tomorrow. Tonight it all begins with the welcoming cocktail party.
Unofficial Practice Day:
First look at the course and it proved to be a good challenge. The greens are the real test - as expected very grainy and hard to read. Very thick rough near the greens which are not large. The bunker sand is very different and they need to be avoided. The rains came a few times but soon cleared and back to the hot and humid weather. All players ready for the official practice day tomorrow.
Rest Day:
No golf as the players rested after a long flight and local travel = 13 hours total to the resort. Did meet the owner of the 2008 Melbourne Cup before boarding the plane and used our first day to visit a nearby orangatan park. First practice round tomorrow.
