Stefan Albinski wins the 2009 Queensland Senior Amateur Championship from Brian Sams
Defending Champion Stefan Albinski (Mona Vale) has won the 2009 Senior Men's Amateur Championship at Oxley Golf Club today after a final round three-over par 75 in difficult conditions. Albinski finished on 225, nine-over par for the Championship, and three strokes ahead of 2007 Champion Brian Sams (Port Macquarie) who fired scores of 78, 75,75 to finish on 228 after the final round.
After sharing the second round lead Chris Coats (Royal Queensland) returned a round of 80 and hung on to finish third. Sharing third place with Coats was the other 36 hole leader, Colin Hallam (Redcliffe).
In the 55-59 Years division, first round leader Hallam returned rounds of 72, 77, 80 to take out his age category. The 60-64 years category was won by Asquith member Denis Dale returning rounds of 82, 74, and 74 for a 230 total. Kevin Ashley from the Newcastle Golf Club finished on top in 65-69 Years finishing with a fine round of 77. The 70-74 age category was won by Geoff Everett (The Lakes) who finished with 80 today making it four age championships for Everett in this event.
The New South Wales team were the winners of both the Walking Stick Challenge and the Invitational Teams Event at this years Queensland Senior Amateur Championship, overtaking Queensland in the final round after trailling in both events for the opening two days.
Oxley Golf Club was presented in excellent condition and certainly proved a testing and suitable layout for this year's Championship.
ROUND THREE REPORT
It was almost case of watching the expected when Stefam Albinksi came from behind to claim his second successive Queensland Senior Amateur Championship. Albinski trailled after his 76 in round one and then 74 in round two. He was still two shots behind overnight joint leader Colin Hallam with just 6 holes remaining in the final round.
Playing in the same group as overnight leaders Chris Coats (76-73) and Colin Hallam (72-77) and fourth placed Tony Kennings (73-78) Albinski played consistently early while both Coats and Kennings failed to find their best form. The prolific winner Albinski was facing stiff oppostion from Hallam who was playing confidently and well and looked a great chance to win his first senior ranking event.
Previous winner of this championship, NSW senior star Brian Sams, was also playing well and a late birdie on 17 saw him finish with 75 and a 54 total of 228 and the club house lead. Only Albinski and Hallam on the course were capable of denying him another title.
Earlier NSW players Noel Wood and Denis Dale had recorded excellent rounds of 73 and 74. Wood, in particular, played some great golf and only a late double bogey stopped him breaking par. These fine closing rounds were not enough to overcome their disappointing opening rounds (80 Wood, 82 Dale) but they did help the NSW team claim both the Walking Stick Challenge and the International Teams event from the home Queensland team with Victoria in third place.
Back to the final group - the thirteenth is a long par 3 and both Hallam and Albinski missed the green. Hallam was very awkwardly placed and eventually double bogied the hole. Albinski seized the opening and holed his shot from off the green for a three shot swing and the lead by one. Showing all his determination Albinski managed "up and downs" on 15, 17 and 18 to claim victory. Forced to play aggressively Hallam missed the green and finished with a double bogey 6 on the final hole but can be pleased with his overall effort and should win a senior event soon.
Chris Coats had a good tournament and after finishing in the top three he signalled his intention to resume his regular appearances on the senior circuit.
Other to perform well in this year's championship were Victorians Alan Bullas and Ross Percy with Queenslanders Ian Read and Michael Maher. All four finished on 230 and a share of fifth place. The top ten was rounded out by Noel Wood and local member Michael Pokai.
1. 225 ALBINSKI Stefan (NSW) 76-74-75
2. 228 SAMS Brian (NSW) 78-75-75
3. 229 COATS Chris (QLD) 76-73-80
3. 229 HALLAM Colin (QLD) 72-77-80
5. 230 DALE Denis (NSW) 82-74-74
5. 230 BULLAS Alan (VIC) 75-79-76
5. 230 PERCY Ross (VIC) 76-77-77
5. 230 MAHER Michael (QLD) 75-78-77
5. 230 READ Ian (QLD) 78-74-78
10. 231 WOOD Noel (NSW) 80-78-73
10. 231 POKAI Michael (QLD) 77-75-79
20 layers recorded scores under 80 in round three.
ROUND TWO REPORT
Another even better day weather wise as players teed off hoping to improve on their first round scores. Round one leader Colin Hallam's form slipped slightly and his 77 following a 72 would eventually see him with a total of 149 and a share of the 36 hole lead. Joining him was fellow Queenslander Chris Coats who played well all day before closing out his round with two lengthy putts on 17 and 18 for the day's best score of 73 and a total of 149.
Just one shot behind was defending champion Stefan Albinski who improved on his opening 76 with a good round of 74. A prolific winner in recent months Albinski will play in the final group and is sure to exert pressure on the joint leaders. The fourth player in the last group is experienced NSW player Tony Kennings who followed his opening 73 with a six over par 78. Kennings is always thereabouts and with his smooth putting stroke working well he is sure to go close on the final day.
Richard Greville (NSW) is playing in his first Queensland Seniors and his score of 73 after an opening 79 saw him leap many positions into equal fifth place. He is a player to watch. Joining him in fifth place was Oxley member Michael Pokai who used his local knowledge well in scores of 77-75.
Another on a total of 152 was Queenslander and Golf Australia board member Ian Read who played solidly for good scores of 78 and 74. Another Queenslander in a tie for fifth place was Big Dave Morrison. A great competitor Morrison has played consistently well in this event and his scores of 77-75 see him only three from the lead with the final round remaining.
Other noteworthy scores from round two included fine rounds of 74 from big hitting Queenslander Ken Glasson and NSW senior Denis Dale. Glasson has moved into a share of ninth place and could now certainly worry the leading groups while Dale can only take some time to wonder how he scored 46 on the opening nine in round one.
Joining Glasson in equal ninth and only four shots from the lead are Brian Sams (78-75), Greg Corben (77-76), Ross Percy (76-77) and Michael Maher (75-78). A good round from any of these players could see them as 2009 champion - it is hard to see players further back than four shots passing all the fine players ahead of them.
1. 149 COATS Chris (QLD) 76-73
1. 149 HALLAM Colin (QLD) 72-77
3. 150 ALBINSKI Stefan (NSW) 76-74
4. 151 KENNINGS Tony (NSW) 73-78
5. 152 GREVILLE Richard (NSW) 79-73
5. 152 READ Ian (QLD) 78-74
5. 152 POKAI Brian (NSW) 77-75
5. 152 MORRISON Dave (QLD 77-75
9. 153 GLASSON Ken (QLD) 79-74
9. 153 SAMS Brian (NSW) 78-75
9. 153 CORBEN Greg (NSW) 77-76
9. 153 PERCY Ross (VIC) 76-77
9. 153 MAHER Michael (QLD) 75-78
30 players recorded scores under 80 in round two.
ROUND ONE REPORT
A high quality field of just under 100 players were ready for competition on an Oxley Golf Course that was a credit to the green staff. The field included 10 of the current top 13 players on the Australian Senior Rankings - all keen to defeat the defending champion, Stefan Albinski from NSW.
The weather was a little cool early but soon turned into another perfect Queensland winter's day. The round one leader was Queenslander Colin Hallam (QLD) who had led in this event in 2008. Hallam repeated his par equalling round in round one last year with another par equaling round of 72 that included a bogey at the final hole.
Close behind on one over par 73 was one of the regular senior tour players Tony Kennings (NSW). Kennings is a great driverof the ball and on the tight Oxley course he used this skill to great effect in recording his opening round of 73.
There was a two stroke gap to a trio of experienced seniors golfers - Grahame Macdonald (QLD), Michael Maher (QLD) and Victorian Alan Bullas. This group returned first round scores of 75.
They were followed by a group of four players on 76. The group included the defending champion Stefan Albinksi, experienced Queenslander Chris Coats, the very consistent Victorian Ross Percy and ACT stalwart Tony Gover.
1. 72 HALLAM Colin (QLD)
2. 73 KENNINGS Tony (NSW)
3. 75 MAHER Michael (QLD)
3. 75 MACDONALD Grahame (QLD)
3. 75 BULLAS Alan (VIC)
6. 76 COATS Chris (QLD)
6. 76 ALBINSKI Stefan (NSW)
6. 76 PERCY Ross (VIC)
6. 76 GOVER Tony (ACT)
