Round 2 – Claney and Takle out class the field at Port Fairy
Gusty south-easterly winds and cool temperatures provided challenging playing conditions for the final round of the Moyne Senior Classic at Port Fairy this morning.
Port Fairy’s cult status among true golfing nuts is forever growing as many come to realise just how spectacular the towering linksland overlooking the Southern Ocean actually is.
Gordon Claney continued his solid form of late with a 78 today to accompany his excellent 72 yesterday for a tournament total of 6-over par 150. The Kingston Heath member was able to outplay the field and ward off his nearest competitor by a single shot to take home the stroke title for 2013.
Claney first stamped his authority on the Senior circuit with a win back in 2009 at Sanctuary Lakes when he fired a brilliant 3-under 69. Since then the 1 marker has continued to show why he is a force to be reckoned with.
John Keller (Hill Top) almost caught Claney as he closed with the low round of the day 75 to place second on 151. Commonwealth’s Alan Bullas was third, a further four shots adrift.
Following a jammed pack leader board after the opening round in the nett section, Stephen Day took home the title with 139. The 8 marker from Ballarat returned 69 yesterday and 70 today to notch out Peter James and John Keller by two shots. Next best was Greg Welsh and Ian Doak on 152.
Meanwhile in the women’s component, Marilyn Takle claimed the honours after tallying 71 points over the two days. Takle had a handicap levelling 36 points today to finish a comfortable four points ahead of fellow Peninsula member Jenny Tilbrook and Warragul’s Judy Magill. Tilbrook edged out Magill on a count back for the runner-up prize.
The Moyne Senior Classic wraps up what’s been a fantastic year on the 2013 Senior calendar. The 2014 Doug Bachli Trophy will kick off next week at the inaugural Sorrento Senior Amateur on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.
Click here for Final results.
Round 1 – Claney in front at Port Fairy
The final tournament on the 2013 Senior calendar kicked of this afternoon at the brilliant Port Fairy Golf Club. A capacity field of men and women took the wonderful links layout that winds its way through unspoilt sand dunes along the beautiful Southern Ocean in chase for the 2013 Moyne Senior Classic titles.
The 100 players contended in cool 17 degree overcast weather with the early showers not only dampening equipment, but spirits too. However, the players were fortunate in the fact that only a light westerly breeze rolled across the par 72 layout.
Gordon Claney from Kingston Heath will take a four shot buffer heading into the final round tomorrow after returning an unbeaten level par 72. Claney, who recently claimed honours in the Melbourne Senior Classic earlier this month, is leading John Keller and Larry Maxwell after the pair carded 76 today.
In the men’s nett sector, Graham Bone, Ian Doak and Peter James are tied for the lead after the trio fired sensational rounds of 67. Following closely behind the leaders is Stephen Day, Hugh Bulbeck and Port Fairy’s Rod Maher with rounds of 69.
Meanwhile in the women’s section, Susan Stevenson and Marilyn Takle are out in front after 35 points apiece. Three others sit two points adrift and are sure to be applying the pressure come tomorrow.
Unquestionably the final round will be fiercely contested with players looking to gain last minute Order of Merit Points to leap frog their fellow competitors in the Doug Bachli and Senior Order of Merit Trophies.
The final round commences at 8:30am tomorrow morning.
Click here for Round 1 results.