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Royal Wellington golfer Rodney Barltrop is the winner of the 2012 New Zealand Seniors Championship for a fifth time after shooting a one over par 72 in the final round at the Waitikiri Golf Club in Christchurch to claim the title by four shots.

Barltrop, who jumped into a share of the lead after two rounds with a two under par 69 to match the round of Brent Paterson (Royal Auckland Golf Club), showed his experience at the event with a comfortable win.

Paterson got off to a disastrous start with a double bogey at the first hole. His opening six over par 41 saw his title chances blown while Barltrop played steady golf and made the turn in even par.

He made a birdie at the 10th and was comfortably in front by six shots before he bogeyed the 17th and 18th to still win by four.

For Barltrop it was a long awaited redemption as he laid some demons from the past to rest from the Christchurch layout.

“It was 39 and a half years ago Ross Murray beat me in the final of the New Zealand Amateur on this same course, today, I got pay back,” said the 65-year-old.

Australian Graham Bowen climbed four places with a one under 70 to finish runner up and Paterson finished in a share of third with Andrew McKechnie (St Andrews) who shot a 76 in the final round.

But this was Barltrop’s time to enjoy a fifth title and he’ll be one of New Zealand’s more experienced players looking for more redemption tomorrow when The Sanctuary Cove Trophy begins at the Christchurch Golf Club.

New Zealand will be looking to make amends for the 2011 event when they were defeated on The Pines at Sanctuary Cove Golf Club by 13.5 – 10.5 points.

In the five tournaments since the Sanctuary Cove Trophy began in 2007 Australia has won three titles and New Zealand two.