KIWIS WIN 2009 ASIA PACIFIC SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
STEFAN ALBINSKI WINS INDIVIDUAL TITLE
CLICK RESULTS BUTTONS ABOVE FOR ALL THE SCORES
Round 3 Report:
New Zealand has won the teams section of the 2009 Asia Pacific Seniors Championships. Taking a 2 stroke lead into the final round the New Zealand team proved too strong for the Aussies and eventually extended their winning margin to 8 shots.
For Australia Stefan Albinski led the way with 74 followed by Greg Corben (77), Denis Dale (78) Ross Percy and Grahame MacDonald (79) and Brian Sams (81). The New Zealanders once again had consistent scores with three 75s (Rodney Barltrop, Ian Donaldson and Eric Brodie) followed by Martin Webber (77) John Sanders (78) and Murray Martin (82).
For the defending champions Australia the week was a wonderful experience but a disappointing team result. With the exception of Stefan Albinski, a good opening round from Grahame MacDonald and good closing rounds from Greg Corben the scores were not up to the ability of the players selected. Although the greens were tricky and some players struggled physically it is the same for all teams. Simply put, this was not the Australian team's year. Well done New Zealand.
Australia did have their share of success with Stefan Albinski winning the prestigious individual title of Senior Amateur Champion of the Asia Pacific by one stoke from Martin Webber of New Zealand. After teeing off in the final round two strokes behind, Albinski played even par golf and had a two stroke lead entering the back nine. However, a double bogey at 14 and a following bogey on 15 saw his lead erased and the two rivals were all square playing seventeen.
As only the best players do Albinski lifted both his game and his concentration and reached the long par 5 in two great shots to take the lead with a birdie. When both Albinski and Webber parred the tricky eighteenth the individual championship belonged to Stefan Albinski for the second successive year.
The tournament finished with a wonderful championship dinner with a highlight being a display of Malaysian dancing that had everyone enthralled. The ability to participate in a traditional Malaysian wedding ceremony was also a wonderful experience.
Next year the Asia Pacific Seniors Championship will be held in Thailand in the last week of November. All who make the team will have a chance to reclaim the team trophy and perhaps watch Stefan Albinski make it three in a row.
Leading Teams:
1. New Zealand
2. Australia
The Philippines
Hong Kong
India
Taiwan
Malaysia
Leading Individuals (not all scores listed):
222 Stefan Albinski 72-76-74 (AUS)
223 Martin Webber 74-72-77 (NZ)
226 Eric Brodie 78-73-75 (NZ)
232 Rodney Barltrop 79-78-75 (NZ)
233 Grahame MacDonald 74-80-79 (AUS)
233 Greg Corben 80-76-77 (AUS)
235 Ian Donaldson 82-78-75 (NZ)
236 Brian Sams 79-76-81 (AUS)
236 Iggy Clavecilla 82-74-80 (Phil)
238 Murray Martin 79-77-82 (NZ)
238 Ross Percy 79-80-79 (AUS)
Round 2 Report:
Today was another very hot day and after the second round Australia has slipped to second place and trails the New Zealand team by two shots. The best scores from Australia were a trio of 76s from Greg Corben, Brian Sams and Stefan Albinksi. The other scores were 80s from Grahame MacDonald and Ross Percy and an 83 from Denis Dale.
The Aussies have a few wounded - Grahame MacDonald awoke to find he had something very wrong and it appears he has food poisoning. He struggled hard all day and did well to manage an 80.
Denis Dale has also been unwell and has been advised it is dehydration that is causing some double vision. His golf has slipped but he is hopeful of bouncing back on the final day. With Stefan Albinski also being ill for the few first days this has not been a good trip on a team health basis. A win would help in our recovery!
New Zealand were well served in the second round by Martin Webber (72) and Eric Brodie (73). Webber played very solidly all day and has taken a two stroke lead in the individual championhsip over Stefan Albinski. Brodie had a quadruple bogey in his round of 73 - four birdies and an eagle helped cancel out the disaster hole. The Kiwis are a good team and look forward to the final day battle.
Leading Teams:
616 New Zealand
618 Australia
??? The Philippines
??? Hong Kong
??? India
??? Taiwan
??? Malaysia
Leading Individuals (not all scores listed):
146 Martin Webber 74-72 (NZ)
148 Stefan Albinski 72-76 (AUS)
151 Eric Brodie 78-73 (NZ)
154 Grahame MacDonald 74-80 (AUS)
155 Brian Sams 79-76 (AUS)
156 Greg Corben 80-76 (AUS), Murray Martin 79-77 (NZ) Iggy Clavecilla 82-74 (Phil)
157 Rodney Barltrop 79-78 (NZ)
159 Ross Percy 79-80 (AUS)
160 Ian Donaldson 82-78 (NZ)
166 John Sanders 82-84 (NZ)
Australian Scores:
Stefan Albinski 148 72-76 "Let it slip with a poor back nine and a double bogey on 18. Looking forward to the final day"
Grahame MacDonald 154 80-74 "Pleased to make it through the 18 holes. I will do better tomorrow."
Brian Sams 155 76-79 "Another hard day in the office. Looking for something better tomorrow."
Greg Corben 156 76-80 "Played very well and am pleased to have a score in for the team. Keen to do well tomorrow."
Ross Percy 159 80-79 "Again hit it quite well but cannot make a score. We have the Kiwis where we can see them!"
Denis Dale 169 83-86 "Disappointed to let the team down. Hopefully I can both feel and play better for the all important last day."
Round 1 Report:
After the first round Australia holds a 6 shot lead over New Zealand. Stefan Albinski led the way with a great round of 72 closely followed by Grahame MacDonald who returned a 74. These excellent rounds were amongst the best of the day and have given Australia a great start to the championship.
Brian Sams and Ross Percy contributed with a pair of 79s with Greg Corben (80) and Denis Dale (86) not being used in the best of four scores format.
It was a very hot day and many of the field struggled under the very trying conditions. As is often the case visitors to this part of the world do find it difficult to adjust on the grainy greens. The championship continues tomorrow and Saturday.
Leading Teams:
304 Australia
310 New Zealand
323 The Philippines
326 Hong Kong
342 India
348 Taiwan
349 Malaysia
Leading Individuals (not all scores listed):
72 Stefan Albinski (AUS)
74 Grahame MacDonald (QLD), Martn Webber (NZ)
77 Cheng (?)
78 Eric Brodie (NZ)
79 Brian Sams (AUS), Ross Percy (AUS), Rodney Barltrop (NZ)
80 Greg Corben (AUS), Ian Donaldson (NZ)
82 Iggy (The Philippines)
Australian Scores:
72 Stefan Albinski "I played very solidly, one bogey and one birdie in a good round."
74 Grahame MacDonald "Put the driver away, putted well - 1 under for the last nine."
79 Ross Percy "Hit it very good - putted like a zombie."
79 Brian Sams "Can't bowl, can't bat and now can't play golf!"
80 Greg Corben "Drove beautifully but a lot of work to do on the short game"
86 Denis Dale "Someone said it was sunstroke - I think it was just too many strokes."
Practice Round Report:
Official practice round today and the weather is hot. There has been no rain since we arrived and the course is actually looking a little dry. The rough is shorter than last year and it is possible that the scoring will be better than 2008 when Stefan Albinski and Brian Sams retunred scores of 5 over par for 54 holes.
Grahame MacDonald had a rest day having played the course twice already. He spent time on the range and then headed off with wife Kerrie to see the orangutans.
Stefan Albinski has been ill since arriving from Hong Kong where he had something to eat that he should have avoided. He missed official practice but was seen heading out for nine holes leter in the day. he will be OK when needed.
Brian Sams, Ross Percy, Greg Corben and Denis Dale played the full eighteen holes and were generally happy with their form going into the opening round tomorrow. For the record, Brian and Ross won the drinks from Greg and Denis (this included to keep the winners quiet!)
Tonight is the official welcoming ceremony and cocktail party.
2009 Australian Team:
The following players have been selected by Golf Australia as the team to defend the Asia Pacific Senior Championship won convincingly in 2008. Newcomers Grahame MacDonald and Greg Corben have been added to four of last year's team and makes a very strong team for the title defence.
Stefan Albinski Greg Corben Denis Dale
Grahame MacDonald Ross Percy Brian Sams
2009 New Zealand Team:
The New Zealand team for the 2009 Asia Pacific Senior Championship is below. Second in 2008 the Kiwis will be trying hard to go one better in 2009 and have selected a very strong team headed by their best performed senior player - Rodney Barltrop.
Ian Donaldson
Eric Brodie
Martin Webber
John Sanders
Murray Martin
Rodney Barltrop
AUSTRALIA WINS THE TEAMS EVENT and STEFAN ALBINSKI 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.
