ACT senior golfer Bill Banks has won an exciting 2013 NSW Senior Amateur Championship at the Howlong Golf Club on the Murray River.

His one stroke victory over leading amateur Stefan Albinski brings the veteran’s NSW senior championship tally to five.

Banks, 67,  trailed overnight leader Greg McKay by three shots after 36 holes and with just two holes to go was three behind new leader Albinski.

Playing in the second last group, Banks holed a nice putt to par the long par-3 seventeenth and then dramatically holed a 30 foot birdie putt on the final hole for a par equalling round of 70.

He stood by the eighteenth green to watch the final group as word arrived that Albinski had three putted the seventeenth for a double bogey. Albinski needed a par on the short par-4 eighteenth to force a play off.

Albinski drove well on the last hole and then played a perfect wedge to inside 20 feet. A large crowd watched as Albinski lined up the putt he needed to win the only senior state title he has not won in his impressive senior golfing career. It was well struck but slipped by about a metre. Then, to the surprise of all watching, Albinski missed the return and the 2013 title belonged to an equally surprised Banks.

Overnight leader Cabramatta’s Greg McKay played solidly in the final round to finish in third place ahead of defending champion Peter King who closed with a round of one over par 71. Sharing fourth spot was the big hitting NSW senior Terry Small who was one of only two players to break par with his second round score of 69.

Seventy two year old Jack Parker equalled his age on day one and followed that with two more solid rounds of 75 to easily win the Over 70 section of the tournament.

The NSW team were comfortable winners of the annual Walking Stick Trophy played between six man teams from NSW, Victoria, Queensland and the ACT.

The 2014 NSW Seniors Championship will be played at Forster-Tuncurry Golf Club at the same time of the year.

No doubt Bill Banks will be looking to equal the record of six NSW titles held by Tony Gresham.

Leading Scores:

214    Bill Banks ACT 70-74-70

215    Stefan Albinski NSW 70-72-73

216    Greg McKay NSW 71-70-75

217    Terry Small NSW 73-69-75

217    Peter King QLD 74-72-71

220    Ross Bockman NSW 74-71-75

220    Jack Parker NSW 72-73-75

220    Roy Vandersluis NSW 71-73-76

221    Ray Walker VIC 75-72-74

221    David Robb NSW 75-70-76

222    Denis Dale NSW 72-75-75

222    Steve Gibson NSW 78-69-75

222    Kevin Skehan VIC 75-74-73

223    David Limbach NSW 73-71-79

223    Chris Tatt VIC 74-77-72

(This report compiled with the aid of original source material from Denis Dale at the Ausoom website)

King won the NSW Senior Championship in 2011 and 2012

QUEENSLANDER Peter King will be trying to make it three in a row when the 2013 Men’s NSW Senior Amateur Championship gets underway at the Howlong Golf Club on Tuesday, February 26.

King will face some stiff opposition with a field of 170 contesting the 54 hole event over three days at the popular Murray River course.

Others with strong chances include Stefan Albinski, Denis Dale, Roy Vandersluis, Greg Stanford, Steve Gibson, Alan Bullas, John Beaumont, Bill Banks, Vince Clark, Russell Rogers and David Limbach.

King is in good form and currently leads the Australian Senior Amateur Rankings points table with Sydney’s Albinski in third place.

Albinski recently won the Tasmanian Senior Open for the third time and has won just about every other senior amateur event in the country – except for the glaring omission of his home state championship. He’ll no doubt be working hard to remedy that situation.

The Men’s NSW Senior Championship is the premier event on the NSW Senior Amateur golfing calendar. It is open to male amateurs who are 55 years of age or over as at the first day of play whose handicap does not exceed 15.4 strokes at the date of entry.

For all the serious competitors, there are also some participants out to enjoy the few days of golf with their mates.

“This event really showcases the outstanding golfers we have in our senior ranks. It’s a competitive event, but at the same time a great week away for many of the participants”, said Golf NSW CEO, Stuart Fraser.

There are a number of prizes awarded for the Championship, including NSW Senior Championship (Overall winner); Division 1 (55-60 years); Division 2 (60–64 years); Division 3 (65-70 years); Division 4 (70 years and

over) and NSW Senior Country Champion.

This year also sees the Senior Interstate matches return to NSW, aptly named ‘The Walking Stick Trophy’. This event is run in conjunction with the NSW, Victorian and Queensland State Seniors Championship on a

rotational basis between these States. Each team consists of six players, with the lowest two scores dropped each day.

Albinski won by eight shots

LEADING Australian senior amateur golfer Stefan Albinski has won his third Tasmanian state title.

Albinski led wire to wire at the Mowbray Golf Club to win the 2013 Tasmanian Men’s Senior Amateur Championship by eight strokes.

The Sydney golfer, who finished with rounds of 73, 73 and 75 (221), also won the title in 2009 and 2010 and continues to add to his ever growing trophy cabinet.

Sharing second place were fellow New South Welshmen David Limbach and Vincent Clark (229).

The leading Tasmanian was Royal Hobart Golf Club’s Carl Steedman on 233.

Division Champions

55-59 Adrian Dennis (Mowbray)

60-64 Tim Leonard (Mowbray)

65-69 Terry Commane (Royal Hobart)

70+ Reigh Langford (Mowbray)

Division One Reigh Langford (Mowbray)

Division Two Paul de Groot (Royal Hobart)

Leading Scores:

221    Stefan ALBINSKI   73  -  73  -  75 NSW

229    Vincent CLARK   81  -  74  -  74 NSW, David LIMBACH   78  -  74  -  77 NSW

233    Carl STEEDMAN   74  -  80  -  79 TAS

234    Chris GORDON   78  -  82  -  74 NSW, Michael PEECK   80  -  75  -  79 QLD, Barry ROBERTS   75  -  77  -  82 TAS

235    Tony BAILEY   76  -  74  -  85 TAS

236    Alan BULLAS   77  -  79  -  80 VIC, Adrian DENNIS   75  -  81  -  80 TAS, Norm WAY   78  -  81  -  77 QLD

238    David EDWARDS   79  -  80  -  79 NSW, Ian READ   76  -  82  -  80 QLD

239    Ross BANKS   80  -  80  -  79 NSW, Anthony SANSOM   85  -  74  -  80 TAS

240    Brian BIRD   81  -  77  -  82 TAS

241    David HAMILTON   81  -  83  -  77 TAS, John WILSON   75  -  85  -  81 VIC

242    Lindsay ELLIOTT   83  -  81  -  78 SA, Andy WOODWARD   80  -  82  -  80 NSW

243    Brian BAKER   85  -  81  -  77 NSW, Lindsay BROWN   76  -  84  -  83 QLD, Noel MILLS   79  -  84  -  80 TAS

Australia’s winning Asia Pacific team – Roy Vandersluis (NSW), Richard Greville (NSW), Peter King (QLD), Alan Bullas (VIC), Denis Dale (NSW) and Stefan Albinski (NSW) Photo Courtesy of AUSOOM

AUSTRALIA has won a weather-affected 2012 Asia-Pacific Senior Amateur Golf Championship in Hong Kong.

NSW golfer Denis Dale led the way with a fine opening round 73 that also saw him take out the Individual Champion title.

As it turned out, low cloud made further play impossible and the event was declared after just one round.

The Australian team posted a total score of 301 from their best four rounds to beat New Zealand and take the title for the third year in a row.

Dale won the individual title by a stroke over joint runners-up New Zealander Frank Borren and Hong Kong’s William Cheung.

Newcomers to Asia-Pacific golf Richard Greville and Alan Bullas were the next best Aussies with scores of 75 and 76, while 2011 individual champion Peter King was the other contributor to the Australian tally with a 77.

Team captain Stefan Albinski and Roy Vandersluis both had scores of 78.

The rain, wind and foggy weather were a constant for the three days of the event but it didn’t stop the Australian team and their partners from having a great time in Hong Kong.

Final Individual Scores:

73 Denis Dale (Australia)

74 Frank Borren (NZ), William Chung (Hong Kong)

75 Arthur Parkin (NZ), Kun Pyo Hong (Korea)

75 Roddy Sage (HK), Richard Greville (Aust)

75 Herminio Marvaillia (Philippines)

76 Alan Bullas (Aust), Murray Martin (NZ)

77 Peter King (Aust)

78 Gongesh Khaitan (India), Stefan Albinski (Aust)

78 Roy Vandersluis (Aust), Luis Garcia (Philippines)

79 Michael Barltrop (NZ), Zainoldin Ahmad (Malaysia)

79 Chris McNamara (Aust)

80 Vijay Bhadana (India), Joe Pethes (HK),Andrew McKechnie (NZ)

Australia 301 (Dale 73, Greville 75, Bullas 76, King 77)

New Zealand 304 (Borren 74, Parkin 75, Martin 76, M. Barltrop 79)

DEFENDING CHAMPION Stefan Albinski has won his third Australian Men’s Senior Amateur Match Play Championship with a 4&3 victory over Richard Greville at the Twin Creeks Golf Club in Sydney.

The Sydney golfer had a slow start in the match against his fellow New South Welshman, with Greville slipping to an early two hole lead.

But Albinski displayed all the fighting qualities he has exhibited in three years on top of senior amateur golf in Australia, playing the remaining holes in 3-under par to claim the title for the third time.

Albinski, a member of the Mona Vale Golf Club in Sydney’s northern beaches, has also won three Australian Senior Amateur Championships.

Greville continues what has been a highly successful year on the senior amateur golfing circuit with this runner up finish adding to his selection in the Australian Senior team to play in the Asia Pacific Senior Championship in Hong Kong later this year.

West Australian golfer Ian McPherson defeated NSW senior Denis Dale 2&1 to take third place in the event.

In the Super Senior section, Allan Fensom (NSW) defeated Jack Parker (NSW) 3&2. Third place went to another NSW player Bob Angus who defeated Rob Still from the ACT 3&2.

In the Super Senior final Wollongong’s Alan Fensom defeated Wyong’s Jack Parker. Photo courtesy of AUSOOM

The Australian Men’s Senior Match Play Championship is open to the leading 32 players from the Australian Men’s Senior Ranking System, with a Super Senior Section for the leading 8 players aged 65 years and over. It is played over two and a half days, with players who are eliminated from the main championship progressing to consolation flights.

Denis Dale fought back to take his first senior ranking title of the year

SYDNEY golfer Denis Dale has won the 2012 South Australian Senior Amateur Championship after a tight tussle at the Barmera Golf Club on the Murray River.

Currently ranked 5th on the Australian Senior Men’s Ranking System, Dale shot rounds of 73, 72 and 75 to win by 2 shots from Alan Bullas (Vic) and John Beaumont (SA).

Dale, a two time national senior amateur champion, trailed overnight leader Beaumont by a stroke but fought back and took the lead with a birdie on the 10th.

On the par-five 18th all three placegetters still had a chance to take the title and all gave themselves the opportunity by setting themselves up with eagle putts.

Unfortunately for Bullas and Beamont none of the eagle chances were holed and when Dale stroked in his final birdie it was all over.

It was Dale’s first Australian Senior Men’s Ranking event win for 2012.

Final Scores:

230 Denis DALE 73 – 82 -75 (NSW)

232 Alan BULLAS 77 – 78 -77 (VIC)

232 John BEAUMONT 74 – 80 -78 (SA)

238 Ross PERCY 79 – 77 -82 (VIC)

238 Russell ROGERS 81 – 78 79 (NSW)

238 Ken BROWN 79 – 80 79 (SA)

239 Chris EVERETT 78 – 79 -82 (SA)

239 Tony HYDE 78 – 81 80 (VIC)

240 Graham BOWEN 77 – 85 78 (WA)

240 Alexander SMALL 81 – 81 78 (SA)

Sam Christie wins the Australian title in his debut senior ranking start. Photo: Hamish Jones. Golf Australia.

NEWCOMER Sam Christie has had a magical start to his senior golfing career with a two stroke victory at the 2012 Australian Men’s Senior Amateur Championship in blustery conditions at Yarra Yarra Golf Club in Melbourne.

The Indooroopilly member finished with rounds of 77 and 74 (151) to beat fellow Queenslander Peter King (76-77), New South Welshman Graham Blizard (78-75) and Victorian Greg Welsh (80-73).

Christie said he was thrilled and surprised by the result.

“I’ve always wanted to play in the Senior Amateur and I thought this year I’d do it. Yarra Yarra is a wonderful golf course and I decided I’d come down,” Christie said. “I honestly had no expectations at all so it’s fantastic to win.”

The championship was shortened from 54 to 36 holes after gale force winds forced the cancellation of the second round on Wednesday.

Wind played a big part in the second round too, with the forecast very strong winds holding off in the morning but certainly battering the afternoon starters.

Victorian Barry Tippett and West Australian John Wanless finished tied for fifth three strokes behind the winner, while America’s Kemp Richardson was the leading international player in a tie for 10th place.

Defending champion and the number one ranked senior golfer Stefan Albinski, finished in 22nd position.

Round one leader Roy Vandersluis from NSW was alone in seventh place following his opening 75 with an 80 in the difficult afternoon conditions.

Teams event winners:

Victoria on 471

Alan Bullas, Michael Jackson, Ross Percy and Barry Tippett

Age Division winners:

Under 60 years – Barry Tippett (Vic) 154

60-64 years – John Wanless (WA) 165

65-69 years – Roy Vandersluis (NSW) 155

Over 70 years – Tony Gresham (NSW) 162

Final Leading Scores

151    Samuel CHRISTIE  77-74  NSW

153    Peter KING  76-77  QLD, Graham BLIZARD  78-75  NSW

Greg WELSH  80-73  VIC

154    Barry TIPPETT  77-77  VIC John WANLESS  78-76  WA

155    Roy VANDERSLUIS 75-80  NSW

156    Richard GREVILLE  80-76  NSW, Greg STANFORD  82-74  NSW

157    Alan BULLAS  79-78  VIC, Kevin SKEHAN  80-77  VIC

Ian MCPHERSON  78-79  WA, Kemp RICHARDSON  80-77 USA

Sydney’s Stefan Albinski shooting for his fourth victory

THE Australian Men’s Senior Amateur Championship tees off at the Yarra Yarra Golf Club on Tuesday with one of the best fields ever assembled for the event.

Defending champion and three-time winner Stefan Albinski will battle a 132 strong golfer field of elite older golfers from Australia, New Zealand and the US.

Albinski, from Mona Vale Golf Club on Sydney’s northern beaches, will be hoping to add a fourth title to his victories in 2008, 2010 and 2011.

Albinski’s run of wins was stopped in 2009 by New Zealand’s Rodney Barltrop, who will again be a strong contender. Barltrop leads a contingent of players from across the Tasman, including his brother Michael.

Other international competitors to visit Melbourne for the Championship include the USA’s Kemp Richardson and Bill Cvengros. Richardson is a two-time US Senior Amateur Champion, and runner up in the Australian event in 2010.

Among other Australian threats are Peter King from Windaroo Lakes Golf Club in Queensland and Graham Blizard from Twin Creeks Golf Club in outer Sydney.

King sits in second place on the Australian Senior Men’s Rankings behind Albinski, courtesy of wins in the NSW and Queensland Senior Amateurs earlier this year.

Blizard, father of Australian professional and 2009 Eisenhower Trophy representative Rohan Blizard, is also sure to impress having won three of his four Ranking Events contested this year.

Denis Dale, also from Twin Creeks Golf Club, won the title in 2007 and 2006 Champion and should not be overlooked, nor should Bill Banks (Royal Canberra, ACT) or Tony Gresham (Pennant Hills, NSW) who have four titles between them.

The Australian Men’s Senior Amateur Golf Championship is in its 32nd year, having been played since 1981. With the winner claiming the Kerry Packer Trophy, it is Australia’s premier men’s senior amateur golfing event. It is played over 54-holes of stroke play, concluding with a Presentation Dinner on Thursday evening.

Entry to the Yarra Yarra Golf Club for spectators is free for the event, from Tuesday 4th to Thursday 6th of September.

Entries with Golf Australia have now opened for the championship, to be played at the Yarra Yarra Golf Club on the Melbourne sandbelt from September 4 – 6.

Defending champion and three-time winner is NSW’s Stefan Albinski who will be a hot favourite to claim his fourth title.

However, Albinski will face strong competition from the likes of fellow New South Welshman and two-time champion Denis Dale and Queensland’s Peter King.

The event is open for players aged 55 years and there is a handicap limit for 2012 of 9.4.

The championship is contested over 54-holes stroke play and concludes with a Presentation Dinner on Thursday evening.

With the event returning to Victoria for the first time in five years, added to the popularity of golf in the sandbelt, the maximum field is likely to be reached in quick time so those considering entering should register as soon as possible.

The Australian Senior Amateur Golf Championship is in its 32nd year and is regarded as the country’s premier men’s senior amateur golfing event.

Further details and Entry Forms

Greg Corben ... 10 stroke victory

NSW GOLFER Greg Corben has cantered to victory at the 2012 Northern Territory Senior Amateur Championship at Alice Springs Golf Club.

Corben was the only senior amateur golfer taking part to break 80 in all three rounds of the championship on the testing Alice Springs course.

His rounds of 75, 78, & 74 gave him a 227 total and a 10 stroke win over Darwin golfer Thomas Harold (79-80-78=237) with Queenslander Ian Read (81-84-82=247) in third place.

Alice Spring senior Reg Vitler won the 54 hole net competition.

2012 Northern Territory Senior Amateur Final Results:

227   CORBEN Gregory   75 – 78 – 74   NSW

237   HAROLD Thomas   79 – 80 – 78   NT

247   READ Ian   81 – 84 – 82   QLD

252   LOW Ian   87 – 81 – 84   NT

253   ELLIOTT Lindsay   80 – 83 – 90   SA

258   BAKER Brian   89 – 80 – 89   NSW

260   MARTIN Murray   86 – 86 – 88   NT

260   MC WATTERS John   90 – 86 – 84   QLD

263   WILSON John   90 – 82 – 91   VIC

264   MCNAMARA Colin   93 – 85 – 86   NSW