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Allenby emotionally stricken wins Golf Classic
Huntingdale picturesque stunningly beautiful has been voted as the best Golf Course in Australia. All major Contests are played on this majestic course where the 19th hole in its regal splendour is a refreshing experience.
To me it has been a distinct pleasure playing on the Huntingdale Course a few times. On the first occasion I was the guest my good friend Norman de Harpe the speed merchant who opened bowling with me for the Colombo Colts cricket Club through the mid Fifties. He introduced me to the Course and later to the pleasurable 19th hole.

On the first occasion Larry Foenander joined us and so did Mike Siebel and on a later occasion we had the company of the late Nimal Maralande. The Course is pretty long, the fairways lush and the greens huge, fast and furious with undulations a harass. We played for large quantities of Beer with one year on each occasion agreeing for only one Beer and drive us safely fearful of breathalyser tests which are strict, frequent and unforgiving.

The venue for last week’s Australian Masters Huntingdale drew a capacity crowd on each of the 4 days to witness one of the finest clashes of two up and coming giants of the game. Robert Allenby standing tall, barrel chested and refreshingly amiable was the star attraction and he obliged his multitude of supporters and well wishers with a cracking victory over American Bubba Watson on the first hole of a sudden death play off.

Robert Allenby started the final round of the Australian Masters with a one shot lead over the impressive spiritedly American Bubba Watson. After the 3rd round Allenby was on 202 and Watson on 203. the fourth round was titanic with Allenby & Watson cruising at their very best Watson struck 67 to Allenby’s 68 to make the total 271 each and qualify for a sudden death play off. In the extended game that followed Watson faltered with a missed putt to give Allenby the win & Masters Title of 2005 having won the Australian Open and the PGA Titles on 2 previous long weekends. A hat trick of the best title events was a helluva achievement and as Peter Thompson was reported to say “Robert Allenby is Australia’s undisputed best and he is capable of anything on any Course’.

No coach
Allenby who has never had a coach has been self taught from his early youth. “I’ve got all the shots and I am confident of playing them right. I have no one to get me all mixed up and my Caddie and I have a great understanding” he volunteered.

Sad story
Robert Allenby’s success was all mixed up abut not diluted with a sad tearful and emotional incident. Kiefer Selvaratnam of Sri Lankan origin and born in Australia had been stricken with a dreadful unforgiving illness and as a result had to have his left leg amputated. A tremendous golf enthusiast and hero worshipper of Robert Allenby the young boy sat in the car park and waited for his hero to arrive for the final round and as Allenby’s car moved into the park Selvaratnam moved frantically to get attention.

Allenby responded promptly to say hello and the delighted and quite elated kid gave Allenby a Card which read good wishes for success. Choked and suppressing tears Allenby embraced the kid, patted him on his head and moved on to prepare for the final round and the first tee. “The contents of this note were far too tearful fore me but I battled my emotions and preserved the Card in my hip pocket throughout the final round which inspired me immensely top produce the winning stroke that brought me the Masters Title a tribute to this delightful kid who with his beaming smile and good wishes contributed to my success”.
Tita Nathnielsz
Australian Capital Territory

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