SYDNEY golfer Stefan Albinski has claimed his second Australian Senior Amateur Golf Championship after surviving an exciting final round surge by US senior star Kemp Richardson.

Albinski held a four stroke overnight lead and needed every one of those to deny Richardson, who shot a final round five under 67 – the best round of the tournament.

In ideal scoring conditions at the Royal Canberra Golf Club Albinski finished with a one under par 71 to end the  2010 championship at two under and take a wire-to-wire victory by one stroke.

“It feels fantastic – particularly today with Kemp playing such a great game – to win anything like that is good,” Albinski said of his second Kerry Packer Trophy.

The Mona Vale Golf Club member won the 2008 title in his rookie year in elite Australian senior amateur golf (open to men aged 55 plus) but has been somewhat down on his usual superb form of late.

“I love this golf course – it’s my favourite golf course so I always enjoy my golf here which always helps,” he said.

“It was tremendous – I haven’t been playing so well lately so it was great to be better.”

Richardson, a former US and British Senior Amateur champion, always looked a threat after showing his class by being able to fight back from poor starts in both his first two rounds to remain in contention.

His final round five under saw him finish in second position at one under for the 54 holes.

Victorian Chris Tatt finished in third place at 4-over with a final round 71 while Canberra local Bill Banks took fourth place with a 72 (7 over total).

New South Welshman Roy Vandersluis slipped to a final round 77 to take fifth place at 8-over, Victorian Michael Jackson (9 over) finished sixth, one stroke ahead of Rod Boyd (ACT) and Ian McPherson (WA) who shared seventh.

Royal Canberra Golf Club last hosted the Australian Men’s Senior Amateur Championship 1987 and will host the 2013 Women’s Australian Open.

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3. Albinski takes Australian Senior’s Title
4. Albinski wins 5th national senior amateur title
5. Albinski takes Victorian Senior Amateur Golf Championship
6. Albinski wins 2010 Senior Amateur Medal
7. Albinski back on top with Victorian Senior Championship win
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