Round 2 – Giles does it again
Players moved to Portsea Golf Club for the second and final round of the 2014 Mornington Peninsula Senior Amateur. Conditions were mostly clear with a moderate south easterly blowing across the fairways. Like Flinders yesterday, the course was presented in absolutely immaculate condition.
Pat Giles was able to hold his composure this morning to return a three over par 74 to claim victory in the men’s gross section. The Goonawarra member recorded 72 yesterday on his way to a tournament total of 146. This is Giles’ second win in as many weeks after he closed in sensational fashion at Bright to etch his name on the Alpine Senior Masters trophy.
The overnight leader in Ken O’Brien was valiant today and applied the pressure to Giles. O’Brien finished tied with the eventual winner following rounds of 71 and 75 but was edged out of top honours on a count back by Giles.
With a crammed leader board overnight in the men’s nett section it was still anyone’s title this morning. After shooting 67 yesterday, Paul Bray from Metropolitan carded an impressive 68 today to win the title and finish the tournament five shots better that his handicap. Flinders’ Peter Doyle duplicated his 69 yesterday for a 36-hole nett total of 138 and second place.
The women’s overall prize was taken home by Heritage member Annette Bain after she complemented her 31 in opening round with 27 points today. The 25 marker notched out Maryann Elson (Dunes) on a count back who also compiled 58 points across the tournament.
Next on the Senior program is the much revered National Senior Masters in early April. Three rounds are played over the internationally acclaimed Old, Moonah and Ocean courses in what is set to be one of the highlights for 2014.
Click here for final results.
Round 1 – O’Brien takes overnight lead on the Peninsula
The spectacular Flinders Golf Club was host to the first round of the Mornington Peninsula Senior Amateur this afternoon. The par 69 links layout was presented to the players in brilliant fashion with the santa ana couch fairways immaculate and the greens rolling perfectly.
Conditions were mostly overcast and relatively calm along the seaside beauty, as only the lightest breeze swept across the stunning Bass Strait. Of the 55 men that took to the course, Ken O’Brien is leading the charge after signing for a more than respectable two over 71.
After a fantastic victory late last week at Bright, Pat Giles is applying the pressure to the Rossdale member after coming in with 72 this afternoon. Bryce Birtwistle (Sandhurst) is also in strong contention to be tied second with Giles. Ian Frost (Bendigo) is another stroke adrift on 73.
Meanwhile, there are three players tied for the overnight lead in the nett section. Ken Bruton (Glen Waverley), Robert Gibson (Warrnambool) and Paul Bray (Metropolitan) all returned excellent rounds of 67 nett. Keith Wallace and Pat Giles sit one shot back of the trio with rounds of 68 nett.
The Dunes’ Maryann Elson will take the overnight lead in the women’s section after returning 31 stableford points to lead her nearest competitors by three points.
Players will move to Portsea Golf Club tomorrow morning for the second and final round. The final round will commence via a shot-gun start at 8:00am.
Click here for round 1 results and round 2 draw.