From Tony Durkin
GIFTED MEDALIST: Anyone aware of the past sporting achievements of Christina Claxton would not be surprised at her remarkable win in Thursday’s Monthly Medal. Christina had her best round since she started golf two years ago – 89, for a nett 72 – to street the field and win the A grade medal by four strokes. Yet another graduate of Headland’s SWING program, Christina quickly progressed to competition golf and started on a handicap of 24, which is now down to 14. But her goal is much more significant than a handicap reduction – in the next few years she wants to win the A grade club championship. The multi-talented Christina, a Research Scientist at the University of the Sunshine Coast, is a former representative soccer and hockey player, and played A grade tennis in her home town of Armidale while still at school.
ROO IS BACK: Kangaroos at Headland have been a rare sight in recent years, but at least one has returned. The Kangaroo Challenge, played annually under match-play conditions between ladies from Headland and Caloundra, has returned to Headland following an emphatic win last Monday. The home team won by four matches to one, handling the somewhat soggy conditions better than the visitors. Winning pairs were Robyn Boreham and Jenny Pirini (2&1), Gwen Nancarrow and Mouna Humsy (1up), Jenny Ingham and Susie Fenton (4&3) and Colleen Berger and Carmel Visser (3&2). Beaten 2&1 in a close match was the pairing of Kate Wilkie and Monica Antony.
WAYNE’S WEEK: Wayne West recently had an unsuccessful attempt at joining the professional ranks, but he has no qualms about his current game at the amateur level. Playing off three, he won Wednesday’s A grade single stableford event with 39 points (par round) and on Saturday snared the A grade Monthly Mug with a two-under par 70, giving him a superb 67 nett. During the two rounds he scored five birdies and three bogeys, and is now down to an AGU handicap of 1.92.
HOLDEN SCRAMBLE: Headland’s representative team in the 2018 Holden Scramble take their next step in the prestigious national competition on Sunday, at Pelican Waters, in the Queensland regional final. However, they will be without one of their guns, Sean McGill, who is unavailable because of his commitments as captain of Headland’s A grade Pennant team. But team captain Brendan Duncan has been able to secure the services of a more-than-able replacement – Scott Walker – who plays off two. Headland’s team is Brendan Duncan, his brother Matthew, Michael Goodluck, Scott Walker and Headland’s assistant pro, Matt Douglas. The good mates, who gather at Mooloolaba’s Beach Bar and Grill every Thursday evening for a Chicken Parmigiana, beat 22 Headland teams for the right to represent the club in the national competition, which is played under Ambrose conditions. The Championship final will be played at Twin Waters from May 18 to 21.
NOT OVERWORKED: With Club Pro Adam Norlander and assistant Matt Douglas suffering recent medical issues, Pro Shop assistant Nate Smyth has been putting in some long hours. But the overtime has obviously not affected his golf, as evidenced by his best-ever round at Headland on Thursday. Nate had 76 off the stick for a return of 42 stableford points. Captain of Headland’s victorious Junior Pennants team in 2016, Nate has been a club member for six years but before he joined had only practised shots in the back yard with his dad. And although he was understandably proud of his breakthrough score on Thursday, Nate was abundantly aware of the major contributing factor – a mere 26 putts.
PENNANTS UPDATE: Despite their captain failing to arrive at Tin Can Bay, Headland’s B grade Pennants team still managed a victory against Mt Coolum yesterday. Skipper Brad Downs struck car trouble and had to forfeit his match, but the team still won 5/2. In a very close match the victors were Danial Diachkoff (1up), Michael Thomas (1up), Dean Jones (1up) and Matt Macaulay (2up). According to Brad, who has played Pennants for Headland for 12 years, “it is the best win I have not been involved with”. A grade also had a good result, beating Mt Coolum 4½/2½. Ryley Martin continued his good form from the Monthly Mug on Saturday – where he shot three under 69 – to win 4&3, while Scott Walker warmed up for the Holden Scramble with a 7&6 thrashing of his opponent. Other winners were Matt Walkenhorst (1up) and Adam Rydwanski (3&2), while David Rattray halved his match. The Masters were beaten for the second week in succession, 4/3 by Twin Waters, and the Juniors lost 3/0 to Gympie.
LADIES PENNANTS: Headland kicked off the North Coast Zone Ladies Pennants yesterday with a 3-2 win over Peregian Springs in the weekend competition. Wil Sprake had a smashing victory, 7&6, as did Jodie McDonell (6&5), while Carol Quinn won 2up. And even though Kirsten Kaergaard was beaten, she fought hard against Peregian’s champion teenager Cassie Porter, who plays off plus four. Today Headland’s No.1 weekday team was narrowly beaten 3/2 by Pacific Harbour at Pelican Waters, with the result hinging on the final match on the 18th hole. Josie Ryan (3&2) and Kate Wilkie (4&3) had good wins, while Sandy Whittle and Jenny Ingham lost on the 17th – Jenny fighting back wonderfully after being six down at the turn. In a closely-fought match in which neither player led by more than one hole, Sharon Thomas was beaten on the 18th. In Division 2, Headland went down 3½/1½ to Bribie Island at Bribie. Susie Fenton continued her outstanding recent form winning 5&4, while captain Robyn Boreham squared her match. Gwen Nancarrow lost 3&12, Jenny Pirini was beaten 4&3 and Mouna Humzy lost on 18.
ROUND OF THE WEEK: He may not have had the best score of the day and did not even win the Monthly Mug, but those Headland members who know Cody Laskey will be stoked at his 85/67 score on Saturday being recognised as the round of the week. Cody, who suffers from Spina Bifida, has been an inspiration to his fellow members since he joined the club 18 months ago. To refer to him as strong-willed is an understatement, and his long-term goal is to be a single-figure player. On Saturday that journey took a turn for the better when he returned his best-ever score of 85 (44/41) off his daily handicap of 18 (AGU 16). Other excellent scores came from A grade winner Wayne West, who returned a two-under par 70 for a nett 67 to win A grade, and Michael Collins (83/66) to beat Cody for the B grade Monthly Mug.
WEEKLY WINNERS:
Tuesday, Medley Fourball Best Ball Stableford, (90 players) – Stephen Woolcott and Kevin George (47 points), Andrew Ebb and Gavin Rooney (44), Tony Flint and Geoff Sawyer (43).
Wednesday, Men, Single Stableford (191 players) – A grade, Wayne West (39 points), Paul Henricks (38), Ryley Martin (38); B grade, Wes Houk (41), Doug Hancock (39), Roscoe King (38); C grade, Rodney Berger (40), Gerard Brown (38), Drew Walker (35).
Thursday, Ladies Monthly Medal, (93 players) – A grade, Christina Claxton (72 nett), Lisa Ramen (76), Colleen Berger (78); B grade, Will Sprake (72), Susie Fenton (75), Helen O’Neill (75); C grade, Jenny Campbell (77), Kay Campbell (76), Carole Dyas (79).
Men, Single Stableford (86 players), Nate Smyth (42 points), Rodney Hamilton (41), Trevor Simpson (38).
Saturday, Ladies, Monthly Medal (38 players) – Kathy Atkins (72 nett), Lisa Aherne (74), Maggie Fitzpatrick (75), Anne Callanan (76); Men ( 215 players) – A grade, Wayne West (67 nett), Neven Daniel (68), John Harris (68), Ryley Martin (68); B grade Michael Collins (66), Cody Laskey (67), Michael Gregora (68), Terry Lawlor (69); C grade, Kirk Hardy (70), Dave Westmore (70), Bernie Green (70), John Christmas (71).
Sunday, Medley Monthly Medal (41 players) – Peter Richardson (69 nett), Barry Matl (69), Sean Hanna (70); Junior Medal – James Daniel (82 nett).
