seniors open
Albinski Reigns Supreme Brilliant Aussie lights up Old Course en route to defending Ulferts Seniors Open title at Hong Kong Golf Club REPORT BY ALEX JENKINS PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIEL WONG
A
ustralia's Stefan Albinski continued his love affair with the Old Course at the Hong Kong Golf Club by racking up his second successive Ulferts Hong Kong Seniors Open Amateur title in early December. Albinski, 57, finished the three-round championship with a total of 220 (10-over-par) and a three-shot victory over fellow countrymen John Beaumont and Greg Corben in second. Joe Pethes placed third, six shots back, and was awarded the Alan Sutcliffe Salver for finishing as the highest placed Hong Kong player. Pethes pipped Terry Collins on countback for the trophy thanks to his final round 77. The local pair finished alongside another Australian, Grahame MacDonald, on a score of 226. "Last year was my first time in Hong Kong and I loved it," said Albinski, who plays out of the seaside Mona Vale Golf Club to the north of Sydney. "This year has been exceptional; it 52
HK GolferăƒťFeb/Mar 2011
wasn't easy out there, but I'm delighted I made the trip and ended up on top of a strong field. It's been a great week." Albinski, an Australian international who plays with an eye-catching yellow Srixon ball, proved his class by winning wire-to-wire. Carding back-to-back rounds of 73, the reigning champion, buoyed by a comfortable cushion, shot 74 to ease to victory. In addition to the silverware, Albinski earned a HK$6,000 voucher from Ulferts, a leading European furniture retailer, for his efforts. Rou nd- of-t he-week honours went to Beaumont. Opening with indifferent scores of 78 and 76, the Aussie fired a brilliant one-under 69 in the last round to leap into second place. The 61-year-old won the 60-64 age category as a result of his efforts, while Pethes, a three-time Seniors Close champion, picked up the 65-69 age title.
Overall Results 1 2= 4= 7= 10
Stefan ALBINSKI John BEAUMONT Greg CORBEN Grahame MacDONALD Joe PETHES Terry COLLINS William CHUNG PANG Yat-wai David WILLIS John BLACKWOOD
AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA HONG KONG HONG KONG HONG KONG HONG KONG CANADA HONG KONG
73 73 74 78 76 69 76 74 73 75 78 73 75 74 77 74 73 79 78 80 74 75 80 77 74 78 80 77 82 75
220 223 223 226 226 226 232 232 232 234
For a full list of results visit www.hkga.com
HKGOLFER.COM
Fanling contenders (clockwise from top left): Terry Collins in action; Pang Yat-wai; Australia's John Beamont; fellow countryman Grahame MacDonald; Stefan Albinski lifts the silverware for a second time; presentation laughs; Joe Pethes, top Hong Kong player
HKGOLFER.COM
HK GolferăƒťFeb/Mar 2011
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