 |
| 2007 Cobram Barooga Seniors |
|
Venue: Cobram Barooga Golf Club
|
|
Winner: Bill Banks (ACT)
|
|
Runner Up: Denis Dale (NSW)
|
3rd Place: Richard Froebel (VIC)
3rd Place: Doug Perry (VIC)
|
| Banks Defeats Dale in Play off at Cobram |
A large field of over 200 golfers took part in this year's Bendigo Bank Cobram Barooga Seniors Championship held from May 7-10. Catering for golfers at all levels and including a separate ladies championship the Cobram event is definitely one of the most popular on the senior circuit.
This year the gross championship saw another very exciting finish with Bill Banks (ACT) holing a 12 foot birdie putt on the second extra hole to defeat Denis Dale (NSW) in a play off. Banks and Dale played this event last year with Banks improving from his third place and Dale once again finishing as the runner-up.
Day 1
Bill Banks took the round one honours with an even par 72. This gave him a 2 shot lead over Yarra Yarra golfer Colin Goon and Mollymook visitor John Stephens who returned 74's. Denis Dale's 75 was matched by Victorian Doug Perry. A group of golfers on 76 included defending 2006 champion Michael Jackson, Wyong visitor Paul Day and local Cobram member Ted Wells.
Day 2
Wyong champion and newly selected Australian team member Jack Parker bounced back from a disappointing opening round of 82 with a par equalling 72. This was matched by Victorian David MacDonald who improved from his opening 78. Denis Dale and Doug Perry returned tidy 74's as did Richard Froebel (first round 77). Veteran marvel Frank Musgrave entered calculations with his 75 as did Michael Jackson with his 74. Round one leader Banks slipped a little with his 75 but still held a 2 shot lead over Dale and Perry and a 3 shot lead over Jackson and MacDonald.
|
Day 3
Another beautiful day and good scoring was the prediction as the field hit off for the final round.
An early highlight of the final round was the 74 recorded by another veteran marvel Geoff Everett. It was matched by Cobram senior star and club captain Ross Percy. Victorian Richard Froebel continued his excellent recent form and played some great golf to record a one over par 73 that gave him the club house lead as the final group of Banks, Dale and Perry moved to the eighteenth tee. At this stage Dale was one under par for the day and equal tournament leader with Banks. Doug Perry's double bogey on 17 saw him slip to 2 over par and 3 from the tournament lead.
Both Banks and Dale has birdie putts on 18 to win the tournament but failed narrowly sending the players down the 10th hole in a sudden death playoff. Dale again had a makeable 8 foot biride putt but had to watch it slip over the edge. The next playoff hole was the tricky par 3 17th and Banks played a great tee shot to 12 feet and waited as Dale missed his birdie attempt from 25 feet. Banks then confidently stroked his putt right in the middle to claim yet another championship.
|
At this point in time Banks holds 4 senior circuit titles (2006 Queensland Senior Open, 2006 South Australian, 2007 NSW, 2007 Cobram Seniors) and has also been selected in the Australian Seniors Team to play New Zealand in July - Well done Bill!
The Cobram tournament was a great success with a very strong field that included 5 of the current Australian team members holding top ten places on the Australian Order of Merit. All agree that there will be an even bigger field in 2008 arriving to enjoy the Cobram Barooga course, the clubhouse and the competition.
|
| Denis Dale hits to the green on the last playoff hole |
| Bill Banks hits to the green on the first play off hole |
| Bill Banks watches closely as Denis Dale hits a close approach at the first play off hole. |
| Richard Froebel, Bill Banks and Denis Dale - major placegetters in the 2007 Cobram Barooga Seniors Championship |
| Part of the crowd that left the clubhouse to watch the 2007 Cobram Barooga Championship playoff. |
