hk seniors open
Evans Continues Australian Dominance
2007 champion Alan Evans claims second Hong Kong title at November's rain-shortened Seniors Open
P
erhaps inspired by his home club's hosting of the Presidents Cup, Royal Melbourne member Alan Evans made it five wins in a row for Australians at the Hong Kong Seniors Open Amateur Championship in early November. Evans, who also won the title in 2007, fired rounds of 72 and 75 over the Old Course at Fanling to finish six shots head of Hong Kong's Joe Pethes in second place. Tatsuo Asai, of Canada, finished third, a further three shots adrift. Anthony Gresham (2008) and Stefan Albinski (2009 and 2010) are the other Australian winners of the tournament in recent times. "I always enjoy coming to Hong Kong – and it's a very nice feeling to win the title again," said Evans, who was excited about returning to Royal Melbourne and watching the Greg Normancaptained International side take on Fred Couples' American team the following week.
Joe Pethes finished strongly to place second Hong Kong Seniors Close champion Chu Koon-ching earned a share of sixth
Double delight: Evans, one of Australia's most consistent senior golfers, now has two Hong Kong titles to his credit, following victories in 2007 and 2011
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HK Golfer・DEC 2011
HKGOLFER.COM
HKGOLFER.COM
After the first day's play was cancelled due to heavy rain, Evans' solid opening one-over-par effort gave him a three-shot margin over Pethes, a three-time winner of the Hong Kong Seniors Amateur Close Championship, heading into the final round. And despite dropping a shot at the short par-four first hole, the tall Australian was rarely troubled on the last day, carding two birdies on the front nine which allowed him to ease to victory down the closing stretch. "It wasn't that easy out there, " said the long-hitting Australian. "Joe was playing well, especially on the front nine, but I did enough to hold on. I hope to return next year and defend my title." Evans also praised the Hong Kong Golf Club greenkeepers for their preparation of the course following nearly four inches of rain. "The golf course staff did a fantastic job in getting the playing surfaces back into excellent condition after the downpours of the first round. The course played great in the next couple of days. They deserve a lot of credit." Pethes, with rounds of 75 and 76, scooped the Alan Sutcliffe Salver for finishing as the top Hong Kong player and also earned a berth in the 1010 Golf Challenge Grand Final to be played in April. In the four age divisions, Robin Briars, who finished fourth overall, claimed the 55-59 age title; Asai won the 60-64 bracket, while Evans earned the 65-69 crown in addition to the main prize. In the "super seniors" division for those aged 70 and over, another Australian, Philip Billings, prevailed by following up a first-round 84 with an impressive 76.—Alex Jenkins
Final Standings 1
Alan Evans
AUS
72 73
145
2
Joe Pethes
HKG
75 76
151
3
Tatsuo Asai
CAN
79 75
154
4
Robin Briars
THA
81 74
155
5
Etsuo Koyama
HKG
79 77
156
6=
Matajiro Nagatomi
HKG
81 76
157
Tomas Joson III
PHL
81 76
157
Chu Koon-ching
HKG
78 79
157
9
Edwin Lam
HKG
79 79
158
10
John Ball
HKG
80 79
159
11=
Philip Billings
AUS
84 76
160
Robert Choy
USA
80 80
160
13=
William Chung
HKG
81 80
161
Peter Reed
HKG
81 80
161
Akiyoshi Kubota
HKG
78 83
161
HK Golfer・DEC 2011
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