The 2007 Australian Seniors Championship was played at Commonwealth Golf Club in Melbourne from May 1-3. Rated in the Top 20 courses in Australia Commonwealth was presented in excellent condition and with the professional organisation from Golf Australia this was certainly one of the best ever senior events.
Befitting the magnificent venue this championship was a very exciting event full of drama with many players in contention with just 9 holes to play on the final day before lightning caused a 45 minute delay. This break was just a prelude to a nail biting finish and then a dramatic play off between two NSW golfers - defending 2006 champion Denis Dale and a newcomer to senior’s golf, Rick Oliver. The end result – Dale and Oliver were awarded joint winners. This was the first time in the history of the Australian Seniors Championship that joint winners have been awarded.
Round 1
New Zealand players took the honours on Day 1 with Neale Pitches returning a great one under par 72 to lead by two shots from fellow Kiwi Rodney Barltrop, the winner of this event in 2004 and 2005. Matching Barltrop was local Commonwealth member Alan Buckley. Two shots away on 76 were Queenslander Ian Read, South Australian John Beaumont and NSW player Tony Webb. They were ahead of a group on 77 that included Phil Wood (Vic), Mal Roberts (WA) and Doug Thorp (Qld). Thorp’s round was highlighted with 3 birdies in the last 5 holes.
The early players had the best of the conditions with strong winds in the afternoon making scoring very difficult. The wind must have had a significant effect on Metropolitan Golf Club (5 minutes from Commonwealth) member Denis Long. Denis found a way to lead his group from the 6th green straight to the 8th tee and then the group proceeded to play the hole. The penalty is 2 shots!
The keenly contested Interstate Teams Event saw the Queensland team of Ian Read, Chris Coats, Doug Thorp and Phil Billings take an the early lead. Selection in the state teams for this event is much sought after as is the title of leading state in senior golf that goes with the medals presented to the winning team members. The competition uses the best 3 of the 4 team member scores each day.
Round 2
The afternoon players from Day 1 were off early on Day 2 but the weather was again unkind to this group with even stronger winds in the morning that made scoring extremely difficult. Amongst the best of these early morning players was a great round of 74 from Victorian Richard Froebel. Most of the scores were in the 80’s and even higher as the winds raged on this already difficult course.
As often happens the winds subsided after lunch and the afternoon players were presented with a much easier challenge and most of the best scores came from this group. Neale Pitches returned a 78 to total 150 and share the lead with Rodney Barltrop (74-76). Denis Dale followed his opening 80 with a tournament best 2 under par 71 to move within one shot of the lead together with Rick Oliver (78-73). Ian Read (76-77) and Alan Buckley (74-79) were in contention on 153 ahead of Richard Froebel (80-74), Bob Lloyd (79-75) and Mal Robert (77-77). A group of 6 players on 155 made sure that Day 3 would be a keen contest.
The Interstate Teams Events saw a new leader with the NSW team of Denis Dale, Tony Gresham, Brian Sams and Cameron Fraser recovering from a disappointing first day to move into the lead.
Round 3
The forecast was for rain and high winds for the afternoon players that this time included all the leading players as the final round is a seeded draw.
A hint of the day’s drama began with the announcement that senior legend Tony Gresham (80-77) and three time winner of this event had to withdraw due to a wrist injury. Gresham was especially disappointed as he was a member of the NSW team but in a fine display of team support walked the course encouraging his fellow NSW players and all other competitors.
The opening nine was played in strong winds and intermittent rain but the quality of the scoring largely ignored these conditions. Rick Oliver moved to the lead with a one over par front nine that saw him 6 over par for the total event. Phil Wood burst into contention with a one under par opening nine as did Tony Kennings who was even with the card at the break. Both players were now 7 over par for the event and one shot from the leader Oliver.
Denis Dale remained in contention and after his opening nine holes was 8 over par and 2 behind. The Kiwi leaders Pitches and Barltrop struggled in the conditions and were 9 and 10 over par at the turn. Barltrop surprised everyone with 4 putts from less than a metre on the par three 9th hole to record a triple bogey 6. It certainly appeared that the tournament would be between this closely bunched group.
As the final group moved to the 10th tee officials sounded the siren and a 45 minute delay was needed for a thunder and lightning storm to pass over although rain periods and medium to strong strength winds remained for most of the closing 9 holes.
When play resumed Oliver continued with his consistent play and maintained his lead. Phil Wood and Tony Kennings continued their great golf but eventually dropped a couple of shots that saw them also drop away from the lead. The Kiwi pair failed to recover from their disappointing opening nines and it looked like the 2007 title would remain in Australia. Denis Dale held on grimly and with the final 2 holes remaining he trailed Oliver by 3 shots - the 2007 title was now between these two NSW players.
Oliver drove too strongly on the short par 4 17th and found trouble that saw a double bogey 6. Dale was in the following group and soon after his birdie putt on 17 hung agonisingly on the lip. With one hole remaining he now trailed Oliver by a single shot.
Oliver parred the difficult 18th and waited for Dale who needed a birdie to force a play off. A strong drive, a 5 iron to the very back of the green and Dale somewhat calmly stroked his 25 foot putt right in the middle to stay in the race to defend his 2006 title.
The rain delayed start to the day and then the lightning interruption during the play meant the daylight was fading quickly and soon after signing cards Dale and Oliver headed to the first tee to begin the sudden death play off. Both players found the par 4 green in 2 and then safely two putted to extend the match one more hole. Again both players found the par 5 second hole in regulation and two putted with Oliver showing he could handle the pressure as he holed a difficult curling 4 footer.
Play moved to the third play off hole and in the darkness both players came up short of the par 4 eighteenth. At this stage Dale and Oliver agreed that it was now impossible to see the ball and accepted the offer from tournament director Trevor Herden to mark balls.
Discussions about arrangements for continuing the play off the following morning were begun but travel and work arrangements and commitments meant this was not possible and after some deliberation and consideration of all the factors the decision was made to award the title jointly to the two players. Both Dale and Oliver were happy with the decision as were all their fellow competitors – it was good to have a result on the day when all participants were in attendance. Given the unforseen delays caused by the weather it was the best decision for everyone.
The Interstate series also saw a tie with the NSW team sharing the title with the Victorian team of Alan Evans, Michael Jackson, Ross Percy and Wayne Aigner. The Victorians charged home to share victory helped by the day’s low score of 74 from Percy and an equally impressive 75 from Jackson.
Presentation Dinner
The presentation dinner was another triumph for the Commonwealth Club.
Following the presentation of trophies and medals to the major winners there was the much awaited announcement of the inaugural Australian team to play in the Australia versus New Zealand Senior Team Championship at Sanctuary Cove Golf Club in July. Non-playing captain Geoff Davey announced the Australian team that was based on the top 10 players in the Senior Order of Merit and two captain’s picks. The team is
- Denis Dale (NSW)
- Brian Sams (NSW)
- Tony Kennings (NSW)
- Bill Banks (ACT)
- Ross Percy (VIC)
- Doug Thorp (QLD)
- Chris Coats (QLD)
- Michael Jackson (VIC)
- Vern Scott (QLD)
- Jack Parker (NSW)
- Phil Billings (QLD)
- Rick Oliver (NSW)
Phil Billings was a very popular Captain’s pick as he is a member of the Sanctuary Cove club, a proven performer in international competition and still a great golfer and competitor. It was revealed by Captain Geoff that Billings had first represented Australia in an international series against New Zealand in 1961!
In recognition of his national title Rick Oliver’s selection capped off an amazing week for a player who was competing in his first senior tournament. There is sure to be celebrations when he returns to the NSW country town of Young.
The presentation ceremony also included the awarding of the 2006 Senior Order of Merit medals. This was the first time these prestigious medals have been presented and the proud recipients were
Winner of 2006 Order of Merit - Denis Dale (NSW)
Runner Up 2006 Order of Merit - Chris Coats (QLD)
3rd Place 2006 Order of Merit - Doug Thorp (QLD)
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