Round 3 – Roy Vandersluis wins the green jacket
Roy Vandersluis has been crowed the 2013 National Senior Masters Champion following the final round over the Ocean course this morning. The Ocean course is the longest of the trio at The National, renowned for its dense pot bunkering and risk reward design. Players were not as fortunate with the conditions today as squally winds and early showers took their toll on the field.
Vandersluis persevered through the cold conditions to finish a single shot clear of the National’s Edward Pawlik, who fired rounds of 78, 70 and 79. New Zealand’s Michael Barltrop placed three strokes behind the victor in third on a total of 229.
The Lakes’ members consistency was hard to match as he backed up his opening two rounds of 76 and 72 with a six over-par round of 78 for a 54-hole total of 226. Vandersluis front nine of 40 placed him in a commanding position as he maintained his composure coming in, shooting two-over 38 on the back nine to don his first green jacket.
Despite the overnight frontrunner, Greg McKay’s best efforts to sustain the lead, the Cabramatta member unfortunately withdrew due to injury after just 8 holes.
The 54-hole nett section was taken home by Edward Pawlik, who also finished runner-up in the gross section. The four marker followed rounds of 74 and 66 to close with 75 to take the title by a comfortable four shots over John Noy. Noy notched out third placed Keith Thornley on a count back following a 54-hole total of 219.
Scores today were indicative of conditions with not a single player bettering their handicap as John Noy shot a handicap levelling 72 to take the low nett round of the day over the two courses. Gary House took the honours on the Moonah course with 79 gross while Brad Tepper carded 76 nett to win the handicap section.
The National Senior Masters has once again proven to be the most popular event in the Victorian senior calendar with a capacity field of 188 players competing in this year’s title. In 2014 the event will move into its fifth year, and undoubtedly the popularity will continue to soar as local, interstate and international players flock to play three timeless classics.
Golf Victoria wishes to extend a sincere thanks to The National Golf Club and their volunteers for their outstanding supporting throughout the duration of the event.
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Round 2 – McKay takes the leads at The National
The second round of the National Senior Masters was played today in overcast yet calm conditions over the Old Course at the National Golf Club. Players battled the undulating and dense tee-tree lined Robert Trent Jones Jnr layout in chase for the coveted green jacket.
At the 36-hole mark Greg McKay leads the way on 146. The Cabramatta member fired a level par 72 to compliment his round of 74 yesterday. On his way to the lead the New South Welshman could only manage a 3-over 39 on his outward nine before coming home in style with a three under 33, including birdies on the 12th,16th and 17th holes.
The leader is closely followed by Michael Barltrop after 78 yesterday and a sensational three-under 69 today to sit just one stroke back. Roy Vandersluis (The Lakes) is still in the hunt to be crowned the 2013 champion after a round of 72 today to be tied third with Kingston Heath member Gordon Claney, both players on 148.
Chris Gordon, Vince Clark, and John Rademakers are still with a chance on 152 but will need to make up ground on the leader come tomorrow.
Meanwhile Edward Pawlik was able to improve on his 74 nett yesterday, firing a stellar 66 nett today to lead the handicap section by three shots. Tony Briers managed to minimize the damage today to finish with rounds of 65 and 78 to be in placed second heading into the final round. Rossdale member, Kerry Boehm and The Lakes’ Keith Thornley are further shot adrift on a 36-hole total of 144.
Players that finished on 171 gross or 161 nett or less will compete over the Ocean Course tomorrow while the balance of the field will conclude their championship on the Moonah Course.
The tournament dinner will commence tonight when the players have the opportunity to listen to the The National Golf Clubs Golf Courses Manager, Leigh Yanner, who will be the guest speaker for the evening. Rounds one and two trophies will also be awarded during the dinner.
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Round 1 – Briers fires at The National
The 2013 National Senior Masters teed off today in sunnry and calm conditions on the perfectly manicured Moonah course. 188 of the nation’s finest senior golfers, including 11 of the top 20 senior Australians, assembled to compete in one of the most participated senior golf events in Victoria’s calendar.
Two rounds of golf will be contested over the Moonah and Old courses before concluding with the leading 100 players on the Ocean course on Thursday morning.
Although players were treated with near perfect conditions, scoring still proved challenging on the Greg Norman designed course that winds its way amongst the iconic bunkering and wind swept rolling paddocks.
Tony Briers is leading the charge after a stellar 71 against a par of 72 after today’s opening round. The National member started strong with birdies on the 2nd , 3rd, and 5th holes on his way to an outward nine of two under-par 34. Briers held his nerves and came home with a steady one over-par 37 to take the round one honours.
Trailing close behind and in outright second sits Cabramatta member Greg McKay, after carding two-over 74. Keith Thornley, Michael Holloway and John Rademakers are a further stroke adrift after returning rounds of 75 today.
Also noteworthy was the 2010 National Senior Masters Champion, Rick Oliver, who along with five others shot rounds of 76.
Briers is also leading the way in the handicap section after the 6 marker shot nett 65 to lead his nearest competitor, Thornley, by a substantial 5 strokes. New South Welshman, Steven Coursey, and Holloway fired 71 nett to sit 6 shots in arrears.
Tomorrows round will commence from 7:30am when players will take to the renowned Old Course.
Click here to view round 1 results