From Tony Durkin
TITLE DEFENCE: Headland’s defence of the Sunshine Coast A Grade Golf Zone Pennant remains alive following a brilliant but nail-biting win over the previously-unbeaten Maroochy River at Noosa on Sunday. Three of the seven matches went to the 18th before Headland prevailed 4-3, and in doing so won the right to meet Noosa in the semi-final next Sunday. Scott Walker was the star of the show, thrashing Maroochy’s No.1 player, Matt Gill, 6&4. Their match finished at the 14th with Scott three under the card. Schoolboy Ben Duncombe continued his superb form with a 3&2 win, while Headland’s other victory came from Jake Crowther, who prevailed on the 18th to win 1up over veteran Dave Grenfell. Headland Men’s champions over the past two years, Adam Rydwanksi and Dave Rattray, both squared their matches while Jamie Hill (7&5) and Brad Butler (5&3) were beaten. Next Sunday’s semi-finals will be played at Cooroy, with Headland’s match against Noosa – who beat them 4-3 three weeks ago – teeing off from 10.45am. Club captain James Kidd has called for support for the team, with an army of Headland supporters wearing red.
BACK IN FORM: With his handicap sliding out from two to seven in the past two years, David Cawthorne realised he needed to spend more time on his game – practising and playing. As a result, the former Coolangatta-Tweed member who joined Headland just on two years ago shot a one-over 73 in Saturday’s Monthly Mug to finish second in A Grade (66 nett), and register the best gross score of the day. Manager of the Sunshine Coast branch of BCU Credit Union, David moved north with his young family and had no hesitation in making Headland his new golf home after playing just one round on the course he describes as interesting, challenging and different. A golfer for 35 years, his best-ever score was 66 at Coffs Harbour as a youngster, while he has twice parred the Headland course in his two years as a member. Dean Smareglia (65 nett) playing of 11, won the A Grade Monthly Mug, Will Millroy won B Grade and Peter Birt saluted in C Grade.
HUNTING TOGETHER: Linda and Bob Hunter had a day to remember on Tuesday when they both shared the victory dais in the their respective Single Stableford events. But the competitive nature of Linda, who won the ladies event with 36 points, would not allow her to claim bragging rights over her husband, who had 39 points and finished third among the men. A former state hockey player and national coach, Linda could not forgive herself for having four wipes on her card, but was exceedingly pleased to have parred the difficult 16th hole. Bob, however, was pleased – about his score and his wife’s win. He said it had been an ‘age’ since he had broken his handicap and revealed that because of her hockey commitments, Linda had rarely played recently. But Tuesday’s success is sure to encourage the couple, whose house backs onto what they both describe as ‘the very challenging’ 17th hole.
SUNSHINE OPEN: Entries for the Men’s Sunshine Coast Open Amateur Championship to be played at Headland Golf Club over the Easter weekend have been extended to Wednesday (April 10). Already almost 180 players have registered for the prestigious event, but some places in the morning field are still available. Twenty players with a handicap of scratch or better have entered, including last year’s winner Jake Crowther (Nambour) who is now a member of Headland as well. Jake (plus 3) is joined by Zach Maxwell (Virginia – plus 4), Lochie Coleborn (Mt Coolum – plus 3), Dan Sheehan (Woodford – plus 2), Graham Hourn (Kingaroy – plus 2), Alex Wall (Virginia – plus 1) and Mitch Toomey (Pacific – plus 1) as the lowest handicappers in the field. Five members of Headland’s A Grade Pennant team – Crowther, Sean McGill, Brad Butler, Jamie Hill and Scott Walker – will tee off in the Walsh Consulting Engineers-sponsored event which is played over 36 holes on Easter Saturday and Sunday. The cost is $75, which includes a breakfast or lunch roll each day, and entries should be lodged at https://form.jotform.co/90498589435879
OPEN CLOSED: Continued inclement weather forced the cancellation of last Thursday’s scheduled Headland Ladies Open. Headland management regrettably made the decision to call off the event because recent rain – which feel on the morning of the event – meant the course could not be presented at normal Headland standard. More than 200 millimetres of rain was recorded on the course in the seven days leading into the Ladies Open and while the cancellation was disappointing, the good news is that all five dams are now full to overflowing. The Ladies Open will now be played on a date to be fixed.
JACKPOT JOKER: Joker night is one card closer – within the next two months a Headland member MUST win the richest-ever Joker Jackpot. Following another unsuccessful selection on Friday night when almost 250 members attended and John Bohringer chose the seven of clubs, the Joker Jackpot now stands at a massive $7600. Only the names of those members present – who must register – will go in the draw for the Jackpot, which has not been won for almost 12 months. With no draw on Good Friday (April 19), seven cards remain unturned in the cabinet for selection this week.
FOOTY AMBROSE: A capacity field of 268 will tee off in Saturday’s inaugural Medley Two-Ball Jug competition, when prizes valued at more than $3000 are up for grabs. Co-sponsored by Hometree Property and Finance (Graeme and Jack Nicholas) and Grant Martyn Constructions, the event is a two-person Ambrose with a perpetual Claret Jug to be presented to the winners. Players are requested to wear footy gear of their favourite team – any code – with a special prize for the best-dressed team. As well as the Claret Jug, football-themed golf bags of their choice will be presented to members of the winning teams, who must both be Headland members. Cash prizes of $100 will be awarded for long drives and straight drives on the third and 12th holes, while every player who hits the 18th green will go into a draw for $100. As well, a wine-tasting and food station will be set-up on the 18th tee.
WHOOPS: When 16-year member Janelle Heaney finished her first hole in Saturday’s Ladies Monthly Medal, she was – as the crow flies – about 200 metres from her home which adjoins the seventh fairway. But despite an horrendous 19 on the par-five 10th hole – her first o the day – the former Ladies Captain and decade-long Ladies Committee member sportingly continued her round. After what she described as one of her worst rounds ever, Janelle, who once played off 16 and on Saturday played off 24, has decided to book some lessons with Club Professional Adam Norlander. Adding to the misery of her horrific round was the fact she bought a sleeve of three Callaway Super Soft golf balls from the Pro Shop before teeing off, and all three are now sitting on the bottom of the dam on the 10th. According to Janelle they weren’t sufficiently soft to float.
LADIES PENNANTS: Both Headland’s Ladies Week Day Pennant teams scored 3-2 wins over their respective opponents on Monday. Division Two beat Caloundra at Caboolture with Norma Hobson (5&4), Pik Chong (4&2) and Gwen Nancarrow (1up) in the winner’s circle, while Susie Fenton (2&1) and Jenny Pirini (3&2) were beaten. Captain Christine Parkinson (2&1) spearheaded the win by Division Three against Cooroy at Noosa. Di Stark (2&1) and Kerrie Tibbets (3&2) also won, but Leigh Derigo and Joy Bullock both lost their matches on the 18th.
PENNANTS: Still needing a number of results next weekend to be in their favour, Headland’s B Grade Pennant team has stayed alive in the race for the finals with 5-2 victory over Twin Waters at Maroochy River on Sunday. Captain Brad Downs, in only his second appearance for the team this season, scored an outstanding 9&7 win to lead from the front. Other winners were Michael Thomas (1up) and his son Blake (3&1), Matt Prince (2&1) and Will Millroy (1up). Dan Diachkoff (5&3) and Simon Mitchell (2 down) were beaten. The team plays Maroochy River at Caloundra next Sunday in the final round of the competition. The Masters team, however, is out of the running following its 5-2 loss to Maroochy River at Caloundra. Peter Richardson (4&3) and Burgess Stephenson (2up) were the winners, with Ian Moore (5&3), Peter Holt (2&1), Neil Oxley (2&1), Warren Selvage (5&4) and Brett Stephenson (6&5) tasting defeat. The Juniors were also beaten, but yet again in a close-run race. James Daniel played a captain’s knock with a 4&2 victory over his Noosa opponent who had previously been unbeaten, while Keita Griffin Klazema took his match to the 18th before being beaten one down, and Campbell Gibney lost 7&5. The Juniors play their final match next Sunday, against Maroochy River at Cooroy.
WEEKLY WINNERS:
Tuesday, Single Stableford, Ladies (47 players) – Linda Hunter (36 points), Margaret White (33), Rosalie Brandt (33); Men (66 players) – Trevor Simpson (42), Bob Trevor (39), Bob Hunter (39).
Wednesday, Men, Mid-Week Medal (38 players) – Nathan Osborn (68 nett), Mark Bown (70), Drew Walker (70); Gross – Nathan Osborn (79).
Thursday, Ladies, Headland Open (event cancelled because of inclement weather and condition of the course). Men, Single Stableford (68 players) – Ray Morrison (38), Aaron Kenzler (38 points), Ray Stonehouse (38).
Saturday, Ladies, Monthly Medal (25 players) – Kirsten Kaergaard (75 nett), Dom Paice (77), Sandee Brimblecombe (80); Men, Monthly Mug (213 players) – A Grade, Dean Smareglia (65 nett), David Cawthorne (66), Gavin Terry (70), Warren Sorby (70); Gross – David Cawthorne (73); B Grade, Will Millroy (71), Lawrence Hireme (71), Wayne Cassidy (72), Ross Brimblecombe (72); Gross – Will Millroy (85); C Grade, Peter Birt (71), Lang Pryor (71), Wayne Harriott (71), Michael Moore (73); Gross – Wayne Harriott (91).
Sunday, Medley Monthly Medal (43 players) – Nathan Baatjes (66 net), Peter Wark (71), Rob Foster (72).
