The strong six man Australian team chosen to compete in the 2008 Asia-Pacific Senior Golf Championship in Malaysia in November is hoping to go one better after previous national teams finished second in the last two championships.

The Australian team includes Rick Oliver (NSW), Denis Dale (NSW), Ross Percy (VIC), Brian Sams (NSW), Nigel Goodall (WA) and Stefan Albinski (NSW).

Oliver and Dale are current winner and runner-up respectively of the recently completed Australian Senior Order of Merit and the rest of the team have been in winning form at various events throughout the year.

In his first year of eligibility for AUSOOM events (Aged 55+), Sydney’s Stefan Albinski has had a major impact and is the current Australian Senior Amateur Golf Championship winner.

Albinski also won the 2008 Queensland Senior Amateur Championship and the North Sydney Seniors Championship in June and recently tested his skills in trying conditions at the 2008 British Senior Open Amateur Championship.

The Asia Pacific Senior Golf Championship will be played over 54 holes at the Karambunai Golf Resort, Sabah, Malaysia from November 11-13, 2008.

Men’s Senior Match Play returns to Barwon Heads Golf Club

The Australian Men’s Senior Amateur Match Play Championship will return to the challenging Barwon Heads Golf Club for the 64 player match play event to be held from the 5 - 10 October 2008.

The top 64 ranked players on the Men’s Senior Order of Merit (who enter) will be drawn to play for the title of Australian Men’s Senior Amateur Match Play Champion.

Golf Australia says with the guarantee of six rounds (defeated players continue playing all week) of golf at the picturesque Barwon Heads layout and the relaxed feel of the seaside location, the Championship will be a highlight of the Australian Seniors golfing calendar.

Entries for this event close on Monday September 8. For details see the AUSOOM website or for a list of current entries and entry form see the Golf Australia listing here.

State Senior Golf Championships

Also coming up soon on the senior amateur golfing calendar is the 2008 South Australian Seniors Championship to be played at Murray Bridge Golf Club from October 22-24 and the 2008 Victorian Seniors Championship at Rosebud Golf Club from October 27-30.

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NSW golfer Rick Oliver has won the Australian Senior Order of Merit with an exceptional year of consistent golf.

Oliver posted an amazing record of 11 Top 10 finishes from 12 starts and takes the 2007-2008 title despite not winning an individual event.

He also finished tied for 11th in the Australian Seniors and was placed in the Top 5 in six events.

Runner-up in the AUSOOM was Denis Dale (NSW), who won the competition in 2005-06 and 2006-07. Dale also had a consistent year without winning a title finishing in the Top 10 in seven of the 10 events contested.

Third place went to Victorian Ross Percy. Percy contested eleven events and was placed in the Top 10 in six, including a fourth place in the 2008 Australian Seniors Championship.

New South Wales senior Tony Gresham won the Senior Order of Merit Medal for golfers aged 65 years and older. Gresham finished ahead of the West Australian pair of Alex Cleave and Mal Roberts.

Players will receive their medals as part of the presentations for the 2008 Australian Senior Matchplay Championships to be held at Barwon Heads from September 21-26.

The Men’s Senior Order of Merit is open to golfers aged 55 plus and runs annually from August 1, through to July 31 the following year.

Top 10 players on the Order of Merit

1. Rick Oliver   NSW   1426 points

2. Denis Dale   NSW   1241 points

3. Ross Percy   VIC   1212 points

4. Brian Sams   NSW   1104 points

5. Nigel Goodall   WA   1090 points

6. Stefan Albinski   NSW   1010

7. Grahame MacDonald   QLD   961

8. John Beaumont   SA   936

9. Ross Bockman   NSW   780

10. Tony Gresham   NSW   742

For full details see the Australian Senior Order of Merit website at www.ausoom.com

On a miserable cold and wet day at Nudgee Golf Club, Queensland professional Neil Wall has taken out the 2008 Queensland Senior Open in a dramatic playoff against Kiwi Stuart Reese.

Due to the poor weather, the third and final round was cancelled, reducing the Championship to 36 holes.
Playing the par three, 9th hole in the sudden death playoff, Wall left himself about 10 metres from the hole, while the Kiwi Reese hit a superb shot to approximately four metres.

After taking relief from casual water, Wall was left with a difficult putt across the green. The putt never left its track and subsequently found the bottom of the hole. When Reese missed his shorter putt, Wall was declared the Champion.

With unseasonal rain which drenched the course overnight and all morning, officials were forced to suspend play when two of the greens became unplayable at approximately 11:00am. When it became obvious that the round couldn’t be completed, Wall and Reese who were tied after 36 holes were forced out to decide the Championship. It was an exciting finish to an otherwise bleak day at Nudgee.

The leading amateur, finishing in equal 10th position was Nudgee member Grahame MacDonald who carded rounds of 73 (+2) and 74 (+3) for a five over par (+5) total. He was just one in front of fellow Nudgee member Kevin Yeo.

The Queensland Senior Open marks the start of the PGA’s Senior Tour which will continue over the next 5 weeks, with 15 events and $164,000 on offer for the professionals. The Senior Open also kicked off the PGA’s Living Choice Senior Series with the next event being the Living Choice Pro Am held at Twin Waters on Tuesday 29th July.

Amateur Age Division Winners

The following amateur age division winners were awarded:
Winner - 50-54 Years: Alan Davies (Nudgee) - 74.75 - 149
Runner Up: Robert Watson (Virginia) - 76.74 - 150
Winner - 55-59 Years: Kevin Yeo (Nudgee) - 74.74 - 148
Runner Up: Ross Percy (Cobram Barooga) - 75.74 - 149
Winner - 60-64 Years: Ian Read (Indooroopilly) - 73.79 - 152
Runner Up: Ron Woodward (Woodford) 77.76 - 153 OCB
Winner - 65-69 Years: Norm Way (Gailes) - 76.73 - 149
Runner Up: Patrick Giles (Goonawarra) - 81.80 - 161
Winner - 70 Years & Over: Geoff Everett (The Lakes) 76.75 - 151
Overall Nett Winner: Mark Bell (Proserpine) 66.69 - 135
Overall Nett Runner up: Alan Wong (Oxley) - 68.71 – 139

Australian Senior Order of Merit

 For the amateurs in the field, the event signalled the end of the 2007/ 2008 Australian Senior Amateur Order of Merit.  

 TOP 10 POSITIONS - SENIOR AMATEUR 55+
 1    147   MACDONALD Grahame (Nudgee)   (QLD)   73-74   
 2    148   YEO Kevin (Nudgee)   (QLD)   74-74   
 3    149   PERCY Ross (Cobram Barooga)   (VIC)   75-74   
 3    149   WAY Norm (Gailes)   (QLD)   76-73   
 5    151   EVERETT Geoff (The Lakes)   (NSW)   76-75   
 6    152   MAHER Michael (Royal Queensland)   (QLD)    78-74   
 6    152   READ Ian (Indooroopilly)   (QLD)   73-79   
 8    153   BROWN Lindsay (Keperra)   (QLD)   78-75   
 8    153   BURKE Geoff (Keperra)   (QLD)   74-79   
 8    153   MORRISON Dave (Coolangatta Tweed)   (QLD)   74-79   

In another impressive performance, Australian Senior Amateur Golf Champion Stefan Albinski has taken out the 2008 Queensland Senior Amateur Championship.

Enhancing his growing reputation as the best amateur senior golfer in Australia, Albinski defeated New Zealand senior legend Rodney Barltrop in an enthralling playoff after both had finished tied at one under par after 54 holes on the Bribie Island Golf Course north of Brisbane.

Albinski won the Australian men’s national senior title at his first attempt in Perth in April and followed that up with a sizzling win in the North Sydney Seniors Championship last month.

Albinski and Barltrop dominated the Queensland event, with third place going to defending champion Brian Sams (NSW) nine shots away.

It was an exciting climax to a great week as the 2007/ 2008 Australian Senior Order of Merit draws to a close with the final event, the Queensland Senior Open,  to take place at Nudgee Golf Club next week.

In wet conditions that cleared into the afternoon, the final round saw both players battle it out on the front nine, with nothing separating the two.

Barltrop holed his third shot from about 50 metres on the par 5, 12th hole for eagle to get to four under par at that point and three in front. He made three late bogeys including one on the last to allow Albinski back in. Albinski took full advantage with a birdie on the 12th to get to one under par and then a birdie on the 14th (par 3). A bogey on the last left him all square with Barltrop in regulation play.

Going down the difficult par four 10th hole in the sudden death playoff, Albinski managed a solid par after hitting the green in regulation. Barltrop hit his second in the green side bunker and failed to get the ball out, costing him any chance of the title.

In fading light, Albinski was announced 2008 Queensland Senior Men’s Amateur Champion.

Final Results:

 1    215   Stefan ALBINSKI   (NSW)   -    73 70 72
 2    215   Rodney BARLTROP   (NZ)   -    73 69 73
 3    224   Brian SAMS   (NSW)   -    73 75 76
 4    226   John BEAUMONT   (SA)   -    74 74 78
 5    227   Michael MAHER   (QLD)   -    72 75 80
 6    228   Tony KENNINGS   (NSW)   -    74 75 79
 7    229   Colin HALLAM   (QLD)   -    72 81 76
 8    230   Phillip DALEY   (NSW)   -    76 77 77
 8    230   Rick OLIVER   (NSW)   -    75 79 76
 8    230   Michael LEITCH   (NZ)   -    72 79 79

New South Wales took out the International Teams Event, eventually running away with the title, 16 shots ahead of nearest rivals New Zealand.

Adding to the Championship, Golf Queensland also awarded the following age and Nett winners:

55 - 59 Years- John Beaumont (Mt Gambier)
60 - 64 Years - Tony Kennings (Tallwoods)
65 - 69 Years - Barry Miles (Sanctuary Cove)
70 Years and Over - Geoff Everett (The Lakes)

Overall Nett Winner - Darryl Wilkins (Pacific Harbour)
Overall Nett Runner-Up- Norm Way (Gailes)
55 - 59 Years Nett Winner- Lindsay Stuckey (Keperra) OCB
60 - 64 Years Nett Winner- Geoff Burke (Keperra)
65 - 69 Years Nett Winner- Jim Maher (Southern)
70 Years and Over Nett Winner- Alan Welch (Sanctuary Cove)

The Championship continues to be very popular amongst the players, attracting players from all over Australia and New Zealand. In fact, 185 entries were received this year for the 160 places in the field. Golf Queensland will announce the venue for the 2009 Championship shortly.

Want a successful and repeatable senior golf swing?

You could try following the hundreds of different (and often opposing and confusing) golf swing tips in golf magazines or all over the internet, or you could take a few minutes and have a look at the easy, fluid motion of the swing of current Australian Senior Amateur Golf Champion Stefan Albinski.

Stefan Albinki Iron shot Royal Perth Golf Club

 
Stefan Albinki Fairway Royal Perth

(Uploaded to YouTube by AUSOOM)

Current Australian Senior Amateur Golf Champion Stefan Albinski has confirmed his class with a sizzling win in the 2008 North Sydney Seniors Championship.

 The Senior Order of Merit event was played over four days on four of Sydney’s best courses and Albinski has set an unbeatable record by posting the best score on each day.

 Albinski, who won the Australian men’s national senior title in Perth in April, blitzed the field by 15 shots in winning 72-71-73-75=291.

 The 72 hole tournament was played at Pymble, Pennant Hills, Avondale and Manly, all reasonably close to Albinski’s home course at Mona Vale GC.

 Second place went to fellow NSW golfer Rick Oliver (76-79-73-78=306), who currently leads the AUSOOM points table.

 NSW’s Tony Gresham (80-71-75-82) took third place, as he did in the national title. Fourth was Vince Clark (74-76-83-76=309) followed by Denis Dale (79-73-79-79=310).

High winds and fast greens on the final day at Manly made it hard for all competitors and Albinski’s grip on the tournament looked in jeopardy when he fell to be six over par on the front nine. However, he came back with a stirring two under on the final nine to make it a comfortable win.

The North Sydney Seniors Golf Championship is a major event in the NSW Senior Order of Merit as well as a point scoring event in the Australian Senior Order of Merit.

 Top 10 scores.

1.  291  Stefan Albinski 72-71-73-752.  306  Rick Oliver 76-79-73-78
3.  308  Tony Gresham 80-71-75-82
4.  309  Vince Clark 74-76-83-76
5.  310  Denis Dale 79-73-79-79
6.  314  Greg Stanford 80-82-74-78
7.  316  Richard Greville 77-76-80-83  Ross Bockman 82-74-79-81
9.  317  Greg Corben 84-79-74-80
10. 319 Jack Parker 77-83-80-79  Ted Johnson 85-76-79-79

See a YouTube video of Stefan’s swing here

 NSW senior golfer Brian Sams has conquered rivals on one of the world’s top rated desert golf courses to win the 2008 Northern Territory Senior Amateur Championship.

 In a classic final round, Sams finished one stroke ahead of the joint runners up, John Beaumont from South Australia and Peter Terrace from Queensland.

 The three round Senior Order of Merit event was held at the Peter Thomson designed Alice Springs Golf Course. Set in the foothills of the majestic MacDonnell Ranges, the course is rated in the top ten of the world’s desert courses and blends its unique charms with some subtle severity.

 The desert win puts the well regarded Sams at number four on the Australian Senior Order of Merit.  Leading the AUSOOM is Rick Oliver from NSW, with Denis Dale (NSW) second and Ross Percy (VIC) third.

 For this year’s championship, a total of 31 interstate golfers - including the top six ranked players in the AUSOOM -travelled from across the country to compete against local players.

 Organisers say the growth of the NT Senior tournament also highlights the ongoing and successful growth of the Australian Senior Order of Merit competition.

 (Photo courtesy of AUSOOM with thanks to Graeme Altmann and Kerrie MacDonald )

VICTORIAN golfer Chris Tatt has won the 2008 Bendigo Bank Cobram-Barooga Seniors Championship, the latest Australian Senior Order of Merit event.

Tatt, a former Australian representative golfer, finished three strokes ahead of fellow Victorian David MacDonald.

Third place was shared by Russell Rogers (NSW), with his best Order of Merit finish, and consistent Victorian performer Michael Jackson.

Local senior golfer Ross Percy finished in fifth spot and in sixth place there was a three way tie between current Order of Merit leader Rick Oliver (NSW), Denis Dale (NSW) and Vince Clark (NSW).

Defending champion Bill Banks finished ninth.

Photos courtesy of Graeme Altmann and AUSOOM

NSW golfer Stefan Albinski has led from start to finish to win the 2008 Australian Men’s Senior Amateur Championship at the Royal Perth Golf Club.
The Mona Vale GC member posted a 73 yesterday for a sensational three round total of four under, the only player to beat par.
Albinski was playing in his first Australian Senior Amateur Championship and came home four strokes ahead of West Australian Alex Cleave.
Cleave also shot one over in tricky conditions in the final round on the par 72 tight and challenging Royal Perth Course.
Leading all the way, Albinski (70-69-73) suffered a hiccup when he bogeyed the 11th hole and then saw Cleave (72-71-73) cut the margin to just two with a birdie on the 12th. But the NSW senior kept his composure to take out the title, helped along by a double bogey by Cleave on the 16th.
Fellow NSW player Tony Gresham (78-71-72) and American visitor Norm Swenson Jr (71-75-75) tied for third. Victorian Ross Percy (72-74-76) shared fifth place on 222 with another American visitor Kemp Richardson (73-75-74).
Incredibly, defending 2007 co-champions Denis Dale and Rick Oliver, both also from NSW, again finished the event dead level, scoring 227 and sharing 11th spot with Mark Meares (NSW), Ross Bockman (NSW) and Mal Roberts (WA).
The NSW team of Tony Gresham, Denis Dale, Rick Oliver and Bill Banks narrowly defeated the Western Australian team by two strokes in the State Teams Championship.

Photo: Championship winner Stefan Albinski (left) and runner up Alex Cleave. (Photo courtesy of AUSOOM)