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Following Report from the New Zealand Golf web site
Royal Wellington golfer Rodney Barltrop is the winner of the 2012 New Zealand Seniors Championship for a fifth time after shooting a one over par 72 in the final round at the Waitikiri Golf Club in Christchurch to claim the title by four shots.
Barltrop, who jumped into a share of the lead after two rounds with a two under par 69 to match the round of Brent Paterson (Royal Auckland Golf Club), showed his experience at the event with a comfortable win.
Paterson got off to a disastrous start with a double bogey at the first hole. His opening six over par 41 saw his title chances blown while Barltrop played steady golf and made the turn in even par.
He made a birdie at the 10th and was comfortably in front by six shots before he bogeyed the 17th and 18th to still win by four.
For Barltrop it was a long awaited redemption as he laid some demons from the past to rest from the Christchurch layout.
“It was 39 and a half years ago Ross Murray beat me in the final of the New Zealand Amateur on this same course, today, I got pay back,” said the 65-year-old.
Australian Graham Bowen climbed four places with a one under 70 to finish runner up and Paterson finished in a share of third with Andrew McKechnie (St Andrews) who shot a 76 in the final round.
But this was Barltrop’s time to enjoy a fifth title and he’ll be one of New Zealand’s more experienced players looking for more redemption tomorrow when The Sanctuary Cove Trophy begins at the Christchurch Golf Club. New Zealand will be looking to make amends for the 2011 event when they were defeated on The Pines at Sanctuary Cove Golf Club by 13.5 – 10.5 points. In the five tournaments since the Sanctuary Cove Trophy began in 2007 Australia has won three titles and New Zealand two.
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Situated on Waitikiri Drive, opposite Bottle Lake Forest in the east of Christchurch, Waitikiri Golf Club is one of the premier courses in the South Island of New Zealand.
Located only 10km from the city centre, Waitikiri is close to the city's beaches, with the surrounding rural and forest environment providing an attractive location for this championship golf course.
There are two features of Waitikiri that stand out for visiting golfers; - the serene beauty of the parkland setting which is at its best in early spring, - the extraordinary variety of trees, both young and old which distinguishes Waitikiri from other courses in Canterbury.
The course was designed and built around 1937-39 by A.R. Blank. He considered dog-legs the golfer's best friend or worst enemy, whichever way you prefer to look at it. There are no fewer than thirteen dog-leg holes of which seven are particularly challenging.
The four par 3 holes are highly regarded by golfers. Both the 3rd and 9th holes require similar shots - a flying drive straight into the green. The 12th and 17th holes require accurate tee shots to clear large trees close to the tee blocks and greens.
The three par 5s offer a variety of conditions and layout. The fourth is highlighted by a superbly designed green. The tenth, if played cautiously, represents an easy five, but the barrelling long eleventh presents many difficulties.
There are over thirty bunkers on the course. Some are shallow; others like craters. They are judiciously placed and not always obvious from the tee.
The greens are truly superb and test the golfer's putting abilities.
