MICHAEL JACKSON WINS 2009 COBRAM BAROOGA SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP IN PLAY OFF FROM ROSS PERCY

              thanks to Graeme Altmann for the photos and videos

ROUND THREE REPORT:
With the top four players in positions one to four after 36 holes the final day at Cobram Barooga promised to be an exciting one. The leader by a single shot was Chris Tatt and he was also the defending champion. Michael Jackson and Ross Percy were just a stroke behind - Jackson trying to repeat his 2006 victory and local Cobram-Barooga member Percy trying to break through for his first victory. Poised just behind was Rick Oliver, who likes to be called the "X-man" (the X meaning he is now an ex Australian Champion, ex Order of Merit Champion, almost forgotten really!).

After parring the opening nine holes Percy had gained the lead by two from Jackson. Tatt had a poor front nine and his 41 saw him four behind. But things were to change!

Percy had a couple of bogies and Jackson had taken a one stroke lead after 13. Then Jackson double bogied the fourteenth and Percy was back in front. Jackson was in trouble again on fifteen but recovered to make a great par. He then birdied sixteen and he had joined Percy in the lead.

Tatt and Oliver were playing better golf on the back nine but it was now a two man tournament. Both players handled the pressure of the final holes well and after completing 54 holes they were still locked together. A play-off was needed.

In the words of Percy "I shanked a four iron" on the first hole while Jackson played the hole perfectly. When he stroked in a shortish birdie putt the 2009 championship was his. These two good friends have been the dominant players in senior golf in Victoria for several years and once again they hold the top two positions on the 2009 Victorian Senior Order of Merit. The one-two finish in this tournament will see them extend their lead over the other senior golfers.

There were a few noteworthy scores from others in the field. Regular player in this event Russell Rogers (NSW) was seen hobbling around the final nine holes with a bad case of gout! His score of 84 gave him a tie for fifth place after rounds of 77-77-84. He tied with Victorian John Taylor (80-78-80).

There was a three way tie for seventh place on a 54 total of 239 - Ray Smith (81-77-81), Alan Bullas (80-78-81) and Peter Bywaters (81-74-84). Rounding out the top ten finishers were Guy Krall with rounds of 78-82-80 and Steve Cann whose final round 87 was not in keeping with his excellent recent form (77-76-87).

With Ross Percy taking the trophy for best 54 hole nett score it was his room mate and travelling companion "The X Man" (Rick Oliver) who received the runner up scratch trophy. NSW travelling senior Ken Lamb had a good tournament and collected the trophy for runnner up in the 54 hole nett competition.

The Cobram-Barooga tournament is a very popular event on the senior circuit. This year it was scheduled immediately before the Australian seniors Championship yet still a large field of 160 players teed off. This included 70 players in the open championship, 40 more in the men's Stableford competition and a very pleasing 50 ladies in the women's competition. All players look forward to the Cobram-Barooga Senior Championship in 2010.

     

     Michael Jackson                                            Ross Percy

          

     Chris Tatt                                           Michael Jackson's winning putt

Top 10 Finish:
 1   225 JACKSON Michael 75-75-75
 2   225 PERCY Ross 79-71-75
 3   227 OLIVER Rick 75-76-76, TATT Chris 78-71-78
 5   238 TAYLOR John 80-78-80, ROGERS Russell 77-77-84
 7   239 SMITH Ray 81-77-81, BULLAS Alan 80-78-81, BYWATERS Peter 81-74-84
10   240 KRALL Guy 78-82-80, CANN Stephen 77-76-87

ROUND TWO REPORT:
2008 winner and 1 marker from the Buninyong Golf Club Chris Tatt has recovered from a 78 in round one with a great score of 71 to hit the lead with a 36 hole total of 149.

He leads by a single stroke from Michael Jackson who has compiled a nice pair of 75's. Joining Jackson in second place on 150 is local member and Australian representative Ross Percy who also fired a great second round of 71.

In fourth place is fellow Australian representative (and X Australian Champion) Rick Oliver. After his opening 75 Oliver slipped slightly with a 76. He is expected to return to his best form in the final round and his battle with the other seniors making up the top four will be a great game to watch.

Leading Scores:
 1   149 Tatt Chris 78 - 71
 2   150 Jackson Michael 75 - 75, Percy Ross 79 - 71
 4   151 Oliver Rick 75 - 76
 5   153 Cann Stephen 77 - 76
 6   154 Rogers Russell 77 - 77
 7   155 Bywaters Peter 81 - 74
 8   157 Walker Ray 82 - 75
 9   158 Bullas Alan 80 - 78, Smith Ray 81 - 77, Taylor John 80 - 78
12   159 Crofts Mick 76 - 83
13   160 Briers Tony 79 - 81, Krall Guy 78 - 82, Street Paul 78 - 82
16   162 Baker Brian 79 - 83, Long Denis 81 - 81, Steele Robert 81 - 81
19   163 Ireland Harold 86 - 77, O'Brien Kevin 85 - 78, Streater Denis 83 - 80

ROUND ONE REPORT:
Yarra Yarra senior Michael Jackson is the early leader in the 2009 Cobram Barooga Seniors Championship being played from May 4-7, 2009. The winner in 2006, Jackson shares the round one lead with NSW golfer and 2007 Australian Senior champion, Rick Oliver after both golfers returned scores of 3 over par 75 on the demanding west course at Cobram-Barooga.

The defending champion from 2008 is Victorian Chris Tatt who returned a score of 78.

Leading Scores:
75   JACKSON Michael, OLIVER Rick
76   CROFTS Mick
77   CANN Stephen, ROGERS Russell
78   STREET Paul, KRALL Guy, TATT Chris
79   CROTHERS Peter, BAKER Brian, DUBIOS John, BRIERS Anthony, PERCY Ross

All scores available by clicking on RESULTS button above.