| 2006 Victorian Senior Amateur |
| Bairnsdale & Lakes Entrance Golf Clubs Oct 30 - Nov 2, 2006 |
| 2006 Victorian Senior Amateur |
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Venue: Bairnsdale & Lakes Entrance
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Winner: Brian Sams (NSW)
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Runner Up: Ross Percy (VIC)
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3rd Place: David McDonald (VIC)
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| Brian Sams collects the Championship trophy. |
| Click for more photos |
| BRIAN SAMS RUNS AWAY WITH VIC SENIOR |
NSW golfer Brian Sams maintained his status as one of the best senior golfers in Australia with an emphatic win in the 2006 Victorian Senior Amateur Golf Championships.
Sams fired rounds of 70, 72, 74 and 73 to finish on 289 (3 over par) after 72 holes played on the tricky Bairnsdale and links style Lakes Entrance Golf courses. Consistent great golf was the key to Sam’s 6 shot win from Cobram-Barooga golfer, Ross Percy who followed an opening 78 with impressive rounds of 73, 72 and 71. Third place went to Victorian golfer David McDonald who finished 3 shots behind Percy. This was a great result for McDonald who was playing in his first Australian Order of Merit Senior event.
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Fourth place went to the elegant swinging Michael Jackson (Victoria) and fifth to the precision play of Russell Rogers (NSW). Both golfers playing consistently over the 4 rounds recording totals scores of 299 and 301. Experienced NSW golfer Jack Parker once again demonstrated his high level golfing ability and a score of 304 to take 6th place.
Victorian golfer Alan Evans recorded a great third round of 71 to move into second place but faded slightly in the final round to finish 7th. Evans was a great supporter of the 2005-06 Australian Order of Merit events and this top 10 finish now positions him well for another good result in the 2006-07 Order of Merit.
NSW golfer Les Browne had his best ever ASOOM finish and played well in the final two rounds to total 306 and a tie for 8th place with fellow NSW player Denis Dale. They finished 3 shots ahead of a group of golfers on 309 in a tie for 10th.
All eyes were on three-time winners Bill Banks (2003, 2004, 2005) and Doug Perry (1998, 1999, 2000) but this year they did not reach their usual high standards and finished down the list in 15th and 19th places respectively. This only highlights the increasing depth and golfing talent of the larger fields now competing in ASOOM events.
Apart from the superlative performance of Brian Sams the standout round of the event was an opening par round of 71 by Victorian golfer Neville Wright. Wright is 70 years old and he is the first golfer to go within one shot of shooting his age in an Australian Order of Merit event. Wright eventually finished a close 3rd in the 70+ division behind other outstanding veterans Frank Musgrave and Geoff Everett (both from NSW).
The 70+ division produced great golf.
Points for the ASOOM were awarded for the top 40 places with all other golfers receiving 10 points for completing their rounds in the championship.
Click here to view the current 2006-07 Order of Merit table. This table includes points earned in ASOOM events from the 2005-06 season and is based on the best 9 results (allowing some golfers to drop their lowest results).
The Victorian Golf Association web site has additional information on what was a great championship run very smoothly and professionally by all concerned. This continues a great tradition for this prestigious event.
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| Russell Rogers set to drive on the 18th |
| Ross Percy holes out for 2nd place |
| Michael Jackson and a perfect drive |
| Brian Sams takes aim on the 16th |
All photos supplied by Graeme Altmann from 13th Beach Golf Club.
Click here for more great photos |
