THEY’VE done it again.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Robert Payne and Alison Seib have taken out the men’s and women’s City of Orange Golf championships (COO).
Payne claimed his 13th COO crown while Seib won the women’s title for the third year in a row.
Payne has also won three in a row but has also had his name on the trophy every year he has contested the event.
Despite all the wins, the scratch-marker still gets excited.
“I can’t believe it. I’m just blown away,” Payne said.
“Every time I’ve played in this I’ve won it. That’s a record I’m proud of.”
Seib was equally thrilled to claim the prize again.
“It’s pretty exciting to win three in a row,” Seib said.
“I think you aim to do things like that.”
Competitors play 18 holes at each of Orange’s three golf courses over three days.
Payne was leading the men’s field heading into yesterday’s final round at the Orange Ex-Services’ Country Club.
He shot 75 at Duntryleague on Saturday and a two-under 68 at Wentworth on Sunday.
His one-over 69 at the Country Club yesterday handed him the victory.
He finished seven shots ahead of runner-up Min Cheng who had rounds of 73, 71 and 75 (219).
Payne said he didn’t putt well on his home course, Duntryleague.
“The second day, at Wentworth, I hit the ball fantastic. I birdied the last two holes to finish two-under,” he explained.
“Today, I was two-under after five. I turned even and I played pretty solid. I bogeyed 16 to finish one over.”
Seib said she was pretty consistent during the three days for her 237 total.
“I had 77 at Duntry, Wenty was tough and I had 82 and then I finished with 78 today. I played all right,” Seib said.
The Country Club member finished six shots ahead of Port Kembla’s Colleen Bell who carded rounds of 79, 85 and 79 for a 243 total.
“She wasn’t far off at all,” Seib said of Bell.
The COO title was originally decided by accumulating the results from the three open events in Orange.
In 2008 the format changed to a three-day tournament over Orange’s courses.
Payne said he wants to ensure the event grows in popularity.
“It’s a fantastic format. For a town the size of Orange, with the three courses, it’s a unique format. I hope it gets bigger and better,” Payne said.