Seniors golf maestro Rodney Barltrop added another national title to his collection at the New Zealand seniors golf championship in Mt Maunganui today.
Barltrop fired a two-under par 70 to finish on seven-under par 209 for 54 holes at Omanu Golf Club.
The Royal Wellington club player finished seven shots clear of Auckland's Arthur Parkin, the former hockey international, with a further shot back to his younger brother Michael Barltrop.
Titirangi's Ken Hankin shared fourth place with Gulf Harbour's Reginald Field on two-over par 218.
Barltrop was never seriously threatened today, playing the best golf under pressure with two birdies and two bogeys on the outward nine along with a superb seven pars and two birdies coming home.
His brother closed within three shots after nine holes but faltered with three bogeys in four holes at the start of the back nine.
Parkin started slowly, fighting back from two early dropped shots for his one-over 73 today.
It was Barltrop's fourth New Zealand seniors crown, after winning in 1999, 2000 and 2004 to go with his three Australian titles and two Asia Pacific Seniors wins. The former New Zealand Amateur champion also led New Zealand to a commanding win in their trans-Tasman International last week in Christchurch.
