From Tony Durkin 

COMBACK GOLF: Very few golfers start a round with a quadruple bogey and two double bogeys in their first four holes and go on to win the competition, yet Chris McArdle was able to defeat those almost-insurmountable odds at Headland on Sunday. But the builder, in his seventh year as a club member and sporting a new set of Srixon iron recently purchased from the Pro Shop, recovered from his atrocious start in the Medley Single Stableford to have eight pars and a birdie in his next 10 holes and lay the foundations for his final tally of 40 points. And it was a round that came from nowhere for the 16 handicapper who has been practising most nights at a net set up in his garage since a disappointing effort in the recent Club Championships. “I’ve been hitting in the hundreds for weeks,” said Chris, added the NTP shot at the 14th hole to his memorable round. 

TWO STARS: From the Championship tees and under Open conditions, Heather Lum and Ruth Broderick were the only players in Monday’s 2021 Headland Women’s Open field to play to their handicap. Both returned the best gross and nett scores in their respective divisions – Heather winning B Grade (95/72) and Ruth taking C Grade honours (104/72). As well, Heather also returned the best score among the Seniors in the field. But for Ruth, the win was against all odds – she was not in the field until an hour before the scheduled shotgun start. One of a number on the waitlist for the prestigious event – sponsored by Jodie McDonell of Century 21 on Duporth – Ruth was called at 6.30am following the late withdrawal of five players. And she responded with her best round from the Championship tees at Headland since graduating from SWING in 2018. Headland Champion Josie Ryan won A Grade with nine-over 82. 

JACOB’S LAMENT: Jacob De Bruyn was among the dozen golf tragics to brave the soggy course and the rain in Saturday’s Medley Single Stableford, and on a rare outing won the day with 35 points. But he was dirty on himself for ‘choking’ when being square with the card after an eagle at the 11th. From there his scorecard read seven over for eight holes, with uncharacteristic double bogeys at 13 and 17. The six-maker, who won the A Grade Monthly Medal back in April with four-over 76 for 69 nett, has played only twice since taking on a new career in real estate which has become his No.1 priority. And while he appreciates his Saturdays on the course will be few and far between after recently joining a new firm selling property in Aura, the three-year Headland member hopes to play more on Wednesdays and Sundays. 

TYPO INDIGNITY: Although Michael Hinds had a sharp-shooting day out at Headland on Saturday, his iron play was not as precise as the official competition presentation report indicated. The Managing Director of HBD Properties was credited with three nearest the pins and both Pro Pins, an extremely impressive effort even if only 12 hardy souls ventured out for the Single Stableford event. But one reference was not only incorrect, but somewhat embarrassing for three-maker Michael. He was credited with an NTP at the fifth hole – just 64 centimetres from the flag – but his scorecard revealed a bogey four. While he did not win the NTP on that hole, he did at the eighth and the 14th, and scored Pro Pins at the sixth and 12th – for a not-so-whopping return of $16. He scored 29 points, finishing sixth. 

RELIABLE ROD: For almost three decades, ex-pilot Rod Hutchinson flew passengers around the world under the safest conditions imaginable, and that same consistency was evident in his winning golf game on Tuesday. In his first victory on the Headland course for 18 months, Rod scored 40 Stableford points on a card that had no wipes and just two one-point holes. And playing from a handicap of 30, he also broke through the century barrier with 98 shots. Rod has been a Headland member for 21 years, but despite having a home in Caloundra he lived and worked in Asia and was unable to play as much as he does now that he has retired. Rod conceded that although he is a competitive person, he plays golf mostly for the enjoyment and camaraderie, but once he realised he was having a good round on Tuesday, his focus became a little more intense. Valerie O’Brien, with 38 points, won the Women’s event. 

WOMEN’S MATCH PLAY: Rhonda Parry has joined Robyn Boreham as a Headland Women’s Match Play Champion for 2021. Despite heavy rain – which caused the closure of the course – and the Covid lockdown, Rhonda and Ellen Bloxsome were able to play their D Grade final, with Rhonda prevailing 3&2. After several postponements, Josie Ryan and Kate Wilkie are scheduled to play their A Grade semi-final on Wednesday, with the victor to meet Jenny Ingham in the final, while Di Stark and Joy Logan will meet in the C Grade final, planned for Friday.

MEN’S PENNANT:  The odds of Headland’s three teams winning their respective divisions of the 2021 Sunshine Coast Men’s Golf Zone Pennant competition nosedived dramatically when the third round was abandoned on Sunday because of unplayable courses. With all teams taking one point from the cancelled round, after poor starts each of the three Headland teams will need to win their remaining three matches and hope other results fall in their favour. Next weekend Headland’s A Grade team plays Caloundra at Mount Coolum while both B Grade and Masters clash with Noosa, at Caloundra.

WEEKLY WINNERS:

Monday, Women’s Open – sponsor Jodie McDonell from Century 21 on Duporth (139 players) – A Grade, gross – Josie Ryan (82), Kathryn Hillier (84); nett – Lynette Wong (74), Monica Knowles (74); B grade, gross – Heather Lum (95), Paula Jeffrey (98); nett – Bev Kelly (76), Mandy Oster (77), C Grade, gross – Ruth Broderick (104), Susan Briffa (106); nett – Ree Condon (72), Jill Hill (75).

Tuesday, Single Stableford, Women (43 players) – Valerie O’Brien (38 points), Lisa Ramen (36), Linda Darnell (35); Men (56 players) – Rod Hutchison (40), Brian Callaghan (39), Rod McKinnon (38).

Wednesday, Medley Single Stableford – sponsored by Property Today – (course closed because of heavy overnight rain).

Thursday, Single Stableford (competition suspended because of Covid restrictions).

Saturday, Medley Single Stableford (12 players) – Jacob De Bruyn (35 points), Warren Sorby (34), Brett Beaumont (34).

Sunday, Medley Single Stableford (60 players) – Chris McArdle (40 points), James Daniel (38), Brad Williams (38).