LIFE OF ROBERT: Robert Payne having a good day.
DUNTRYLEAGUE'S Robert Payne has continued his extraordinary success at Dubbo with an impressive victory in the Dubbo Open.
Played on the 1-27 layout, the Orange scratch marker had nines of 33-38-36 for an impressive 107, one-over-par.
Payne, a former Dubbo member before moving to Orange, has an impressive trophy haul from club championships, Macquarie Cup at Easter and Dubbo Open victories.
He showed on Sunday that he is still capable of playing great golf.
Payne finished three shots ahead of Moore Park pennant player John Betland (Forbes) who finished on 110 (34-38-38).
Payne said his morning round of par 71 set him up nicely for the run home.
"It was nice to start with a birdie on the first but I gave that shot back on the fifth before an eagle on seven and birdie on nine gave me three under at the turn," he said.
"The eagle was my shot of the day. I hit driver off the deck from about 240 metres out and found myself with a three putt for eagle. That was nice.
"Unfortunately I gave three shots back on the way home, and in the afternoon I dropped another one on the 19-27 nine. But still was very happy with the win.
"Realistically I could have had four or five shots better if the putter had been working."
Payne said Sunday was one of his better ball striking days.
"At Dubbo you need to be good off the tee and I think I only missed a couple of fairways, so that was ideal," he said.
"My drivers were good and so were my irons and from tee to green things were fine, but I left a few short putts out there."
The previous week Payne had shared the Parkes Open with Dubbo's Matt Gleeson after they run out of light in a play-off.
On Sunday Gleeson lost his chance with 80 in the morning before rattling home one-under-par for 114.
Dubbo club champion Michael Wherritt was another to make an impression early. He shot 73 (39-34) to be two shots behind Payne with Steve Betland (Forbes) also on 73 and John Betland (72) in the mix.
However Wherritt finished three-over-par 38 on the run home while Steve Betland had a shocking run with 43 and John 38 to give Payne an easy passage to victory.
Payne will now focus on the City of Orange Open to be played over three days this weekend with 18 holes each at Duntryleague, Wentworth and Ex-Services clubs. We wish him well.
Dubbo Golf Club captain Andrew Dunkley was pleased with the success of the tournament.
"Perfect weather greeted the field of 128 players and the course was in immaculate condition which reflected some excellent scoring and we congratulate Robert Payne on an outstanding victory," he said.
