Australia's Stefan Albinski continued his love affair with the Old Course at the Hong Kong Golf Club by racking up his second successive Ulferts Hong Kong Seniors Open Amateur title in early December.
Albinski, 57, finished the three-round championship with a total of 220 (10-over-par) and a three-shot victory over fellow countrymen John Beaumont and Greg Corben in second. Joe Pethes placed third, six shots back, and was awarded the Alan Sutcliffe Salver for finishing as the highest placed Hong Kong player. Pethes pipped Terry Collins on countback for the trophy thanks to his final round 77. The local pair finished alongside another Australian, Grahame MacDonald, on a score of 226. "Last year was my first time in Hong Kong and I loved it," said Albinski, who plays out of the seaside Mona Vale Golf Club to the north of Sydney. "This year has been exceptional; it wasn't easy out there, but I'm delighted I made the trip and ended up on top of a strong field. It's been a great week."
Albinski, an Australian international who plays with an eye-catching yellow Srixon ball, proved his class by winning wire-to-wire. Carding back-to-back rounds of 73, the reigning champion, buoyed by a comfortable cushion, shot 74 to ease to victory. In addition to the silverware, Albinski earned a HK$6,000 voucher from Ulferts, a leading European furniture retailer, for his efforts.
Round-of-the-week honours went to Beaumont. Opening with indifferent scores of 78 and 76, the Aussie fired a brilliant one-under 69 in the last round to leap into second place. The 61-year-old won the 60-64 age category as a result of his efforts, while Pethes, a three-time Seniors Close champion, picked up the 65-69 age title.
