2010 NORTHERN TERRITORY SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP
AT THE PALMERSTON GOLF CLUB, DARWIN
Following two years at the beautiful Alice Springs Golf Club the 2010 Northern Territory Senior Championship was played at the Palmerston Golf Club in Darwin.
Albinski Wins Another Senior Championship
CLICK 2010 RESULTS BUTTON FOR SCORES and RANKING POINTS
Round Three Report from Bob Angus:
Stefan Albinski added the 2010 Northern Territory Senior Championship to his imposing resume with a resounding seven shot win at Palmerston Golf Club in Darwin.
Albinski did not have it all his way during the final round. Starting out with a seven shot lead it was cut to just one after six holes as defending champion Grahame MacDonald made an early move and Stefan started poorly. Albinski then recovered and MacDonald could not continue his early run of birdies. Over the final stretch of six holes Albinski came home one under to eventually win comfortably.
77 was a popular score in the final round with Albinski, MacDonald and the third and fourth placegetters, Peter King and Greg Corben all finishing with that score. Others to record 77, which was the best senior round of the day, were Neil King and Les Browne.
South Australian John Beaumont finished in fifth place ahead of Neil King in sixth. Bob Angus, Bob Gamsby, Steve Cann and John Costello made up the balance of the top ten.
Leading Scores:
221 Stefan Albinski (NSW) 73-71-77
228 Grahame MacDonald (QLD) 78-73-77
230 Peter King (QLD) 80-73-77
232 Greg Corben (NSW) 75-80-77
236 John Beaumont (SA) 77-80-79
238 Neil King (QLD) 76-85-77
241 Rob Angus (NSW) 77-81-83, Bob Gamsby (WA) 82-81-78
244 Steve Cann (VIC) 86-79-79
245 John Costello (NT) 8381-81
246 Ian Read (QLD) 81-80-85
248 Les Browne (NSW) 86-85-77
252 Brian Baker (NSW) 89-80-83
253 Graeme Altmann (VIC
257 Chris Collins (NSW), Lindsay Elliott (SA)
261 J. Wilson (NT)
265 Muzza Martin (NT)
Round Two Report from Bob Angus:
Leading Scores:
144 Stefan Albinski 73 71
151 Grahame MacDonald 78 73
153 Peter King 80 73, Greg Corben 75 80
157 John Beaumont 77 - 80
158 Bob Angus 77 - 81
161 Neil King 76 - 85, Ian Read 81 80
163 Bob Gamsby 82 81
164 J.Costello 83 81
165 Steve Cann 86 79
Stefan Albinski extended his lead today with a fine par 71. This score was aided by a number of Houdini like saves from the "woods" particularly on the back nine. Stefan commented that "he is good at recovering as he has to do it regularly!!"
Defending champion Grahame MacDonald came back strongly with a fine 73 to be 7 behind Stefan. Two shots further back are Peter King ( 73) and Greg Corben (80). John Beaumont (80) and Bob Angus (81) were the only other players to break 160.
Conditions were again very trying as Territorians continue to wait for the now month late Dry Season. Temperature peaked at 34C with humidity in the mid 90% range for most of the day and showers were around during the afternoon.
Putting Stefans score in perspective the Open field contains some of the best young guns currently in Australian golf and the leader is Dean Bringolf from NSW with 138.
Round One Report from Bob Angus:
Leading Scores:
73 Stefan Albinski
75 Greg Corben
77 John Beaumont, Robert Angus
78 Grahame MacDonald
80 Ian Read
81 Peter King
82 Bob Gamsby
Others in low 80's
86 Les Browne
89 Brian Baker
About 20 of the seniors are A graders with the balance of the field being Territorians on longer handicaps. The NT Open Championship is also being played at the same time and there are many of Australia's best amateurs playing here as well.
As expected Australia's leading senior Stefan Albinski leads the way with a fine opening round of 73. He is well on his way to another senior title. He has a two shot lead from fellow NSW player Greg Corben who is determined to give Albinski a battle for the championship. He could surprise.
South Australia's very consistent John Beaumont and NSW's "grey nomad" Bob Angus are next on 77. There is another stroke to the defending champion Grahame MacDonald on 78 who has a lot to do if he is to keep his title.
Two of the leading seniors (Ian Read and Peter King) had early morning tee times and although they had the cooler temperatures they did have to play early holes in heavy rain. They finished with rounds of 80 and 81. The rest of the senior players had afternoon times and also experienced some of Darwin's tropical weather.
The usual rain showers were very heavy at times meaning play was slow with a delay caused by flooded greens on the back nine. The average round was in excess of 5.5 hours.
As you could expect rain made for wet fairways and the course played longer than its normal length. This didn't stop the young guns though with Bringolf and Humphries from NSW both shooting rounds of 69.
The maximum temp today at Palmerston was about 34c and humidity about 98%!
