Michael Barltrop from Royal Auckland, NZ has won this year's Royal Melbourne Classic. Michael is a regular visitor to Australia to play in Seniors events and has played in all 3 of the Royal Melbourne Classics.
He started with the best round of the event, 73 to lead the field by 3 shots. A round 2 78 gave him a one shot lead going into round 3. His total was the same as the previous year when he led the field by 5 shots going into round 3.
This year Michael was equal leader with 9 holes to play but finished strongly for a fine 76 on the composite course to win the event by 7 shots - he was the only player in the field to break 80 each day.
Greg Rhodes from Coomealla finished second (81, 78, 75). Greg is a recent Senior and has performed well in the few Senior events he has played. When he manages to find time to play in more events he will no doubt be a force in Seniors golf in Vic and Nationally.
Gordon Claney (79, 81, 77) finished third on a countback from newcomer Bernie Bickerton from Yarra Yarra (76, 76, 85) who played very well for the first 2 rounds to be just 1 shot off the pace.
Although Michael Barltrop also had the low Nett total the Nett event was won by Glenn Marr from Coomealla (225) by 3 shots over Bernie Bickerton. Local member and key person behind this event Alan Evans won the over 65 trophy (87, 74, 78).
Another very successful event and a capacity field with well over half the field from interstate or overseas.