The 2007 Victorian Senior Amateur Championship is the only 72 hole championship played on the Senior Order of Merit circuit. The event always attracts a large field with this year 200 players entering for the championship played at Bright and Myrtleford Golf Clubs.
Round 1 - Everett and Sams Take Early Lead
71 year old NSW senior Geoff Everett and defending champion Brian Sams (NSW) took the first round lead in the 2007 Victorian Senior Amateur Championship. 200 players travelled to a magnificent part of Australia to compete in this prestigious senior event.
Played at Bright and Myrtleford golf Clubs over 72 holes Everett and Banks shot over par 73s on the beautiful and well prepared Bright course to take a one shot lead from a group of players on 74 - Ross Bockman (NSW), Bill Banks (ACT), Barry Miles (QLD) and Jim Malkus (NSW).
Well placed on 76 and looking to make up ground in the second round at Myrtleford were a trio of NSW players - Denis Dale, Tony Kennings and Alan Fensom.
Round 2 - Everett Joined by Dale at Halfway Mark
Myrtleford golf course was presented in excellent condition and they also arranged for perfect weather (with just a few too many flies for some).
At the completion of play there was a three way tied for the lead. Leading Victorian senior Ross Percy returned the day's best score with an even par 71 to go with his opening 77. His 148 total was matched by Denis Dale (NSW) 76-72 and round one leader Geoff Everett (NSW) 73-75. One shot behind was the defending champion Brian Sams (NSW) 73-76.
Others in contention at the half way mark of the tournament included Bill Wellington (TAS) 76-754, Jim Malkus (NSW) 74-77 and Michael Jackson (VIC) 77-74.
Round 3 - Banks Bounces Back but Percy New Leader.
Day three saw a return to the Bright course and with the experience of round one improved scores were expected. As is often the case this did not eventuate for many of the players.
The best score belonged to Bill Banks (ACT) who zoomed back in contention with a great one under par 71. A highlight of Bank's great round was a holed chip shot on the dangerous final green. His 54 total of 224 gave him second place just one behind Ross Percy. Percy had earlier returned a hard working 75 and after opening rounds of 77 and 71 he found himself the tournament leader.
Brian Sams also returned a 75 and joined Banks in equal second place. Sams' round was one of very consistent driving and reliable putting on the tricky greens.
Fourth place was shared by round two leaders Denis Dale and Geoff Everett and consistent Victorian Michael Jackson. While Jackson returned a tidy 76 to total 227 Dale and Everett disappointed with 79s. This group trailed Percy by 4.
Bill "Whippy" Wellington dropped back with a disappointing 82 while a big mover on day three was Dave Morrison (QLD). His even par 72 allowed him to jump over quite a few players and his three round total of 229 had him nicely inside the top ten.
Round 4 - Exciting Finish but Sams Wins Again!
The final round was played at Myrtleford and players were hopeful of using the experiences learnt on day two and the very pleasant playing conditions to record some good scores.
The round of the day belonged to current joint Australian Senior champion Rick Oliver (NSW). Oliver had started poorly with an 82 in the opening round but then recorded 76, 75 and a great 2 under par 69 in the final round. His total of 302 made him the club house leader with the leading groups still out on the course.
Two others managed to break par on the final day with a score of 70. They were the recent runner up in the Australian Senior Amateur Match Play Championship Victorian Phil Wood and a welcome newcomer to senior golf, Geoff Ashby from NSW. Greg Welch (VIC) returned a par round for a total of 304 that saw him finish in a tie for 7th place. Welch opened with an 85 but then returned very impressive rounds of 75, 73 and 71.
Nigel Goodall (WA) closed his tournament with a one over 72 for a total of 303 and outright 6th place. This meant 151 Order of Merit points from this event and Goodall is now in 8th place on the 2007-08 Order of Merit table. Bill Wellington returned to his current good form with a 72 to share 7th place with Victorian champion golfer Michael Jackson and the NSW legend Geoff Everett. Everett is 71 years old but is still a major danger in all tournaments. His 72 hole total of 304 was a fantastic achievement.
Denis Dale (NSW) managed a 75 and a four round total of 302. He shared 4th place with Rick Oliver. These two had shared the 2007 Australian Senior Amateur Championship earlier in the year and once again they finished in a tie in a major championship.
The leading trio of Sams, Banks and Percy were busy in their battle and even with other players returning their good scores it was the leading three that would fight out the finish. Banks held an early lead after nine holes but then Sams found his putting stroke and 3 long putts dropped in. With 3 holes to go in his fnal round Sams was under par and held a commanding 3 shot lead over Banks with two more shots to Percy.
Then the drama started. Percy hit out of bounds on the 16th and recorded a triple bogey to end his chances. Sams bogeyed 16 and his lead was just 2. The 17th is a long par 5 with out of bounds all along the left. Banks was well placed after his second shot and watched in amazement as Sams' second shot sailed over the fence. The pressure was on as Sams reloaded but he played a magnificent fairway wood to less than 2 metres. He two putted for a good bogey and walked to the 18th tee with a one shot lead.
Both players hit average drives but it was Sams who needing to chip out to find the fairway. Banks missed the green with his approach and then chipped to 3 metres. Sams eventually played a pressue packed fourth shot to very close and recorded a bogey 5 on his final hole. Banks now needed to hole his putt to force a play off. As a large crowd watched it narrowly missed and Banks had to be content with second place in this years' championship.
Banks won this event in 2003, 2004 and 2005 and Sams has now won in 2006 and 2007. Ross Percy was second in 2006 and third in 2007. Perhaps next year this trio of champion senior golfers will allow someone else to break through! The 2008 Victorian Senior Amateur Championship will be played at the Rosebud course.
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