From Tony Durkin
AMBROSE UNION: Maroochydore Rugby Union teammates Lachie Moffat and Alex Dwyer combined with another mate and a fellow Rah Rah to win Saturday’s Closing Day Ambrose, and bookend Headland’s 2022 golf season. After winning the year’s opening B Grade competition (Alex) and running second in C Grade (Lachie), the pair joined Lachie Keenan and University Rugby coach Doc Fleming to score 13 birdies on a bogey-free card and win Saturday’s Ambrose with 53.125 nett. The foursome birdied all but the 17th hole on the back nine with long-hitting Alex the standout, driving the par-four 12th and finishing just short of the green at the par-four sixth. “We all played our part, which has to be the case for a good score in an Ambrose,” said Lachie Moffat who, after winning the C Grade Championship mid year, is now down to his lowest handicap of 14.7. In a big field of 248, husbands and wives, Liz and Tony Dunford and Sandee and Ross Brimblecombe, were runners up on 55.875.
ADAM THRILLS: At 42, he was not old enough to compete in the Australian PGA Legends Tour Championship at Headland on Wednesday, but former local junior Adam Scott thrilled a small but awe-inspired gallery while playing a somewhat ‘social’ round. Teaming with good mates and fellow Professionals Tom Arnott and David Gleeson, both of Caloundra Golf Club, and ex-junior playing partner Jamie Holbrook, the 2013 US Masters Champion shot 11 birdies in an exhilarating round of 10-under 62. His only blemish was a lip-out bogey at the par-four 16th after he had missed the green from the middle of the fairway. Ten-year Headland member Chris Klazema, who watched the round was – like all in the gallery – in awe of his ball striking. “Adam makes golf look so easy,” he said. “To have him at our course today, showing us how the great players hit it, was just awesome.”
SEVE RULES: Popular member Barry Newton carries a new moniker – Seve – after his extraordinary back nine in Tuesday’s first round of the Australian PGA Legends Tour Championship at Headland. Barry (handicap seven) shot two-over 74 for 41 points and a win in the amateur division, but it was the reaction from playing Peter Lonard – who made the cut at the US Masters five times – which Barry will long remember. “I didn’t know I was playing with Seve today,” Lonard jested, in reference to the legendary scrambling skills of five-time Major Champion, the late Seve Ballesteros. Barry revealed that he did not hit one green on the back nine in regulation, yet missed par just once when he three-putted from the back of the par-three 18th. “I just couldn’t miss,” said the Finance Broker who had three bogeys and a birdie in his exceptional round. On Wednesday, the second day of the tournament, Barry again starred, scoring 38 points and finishing third. He collected a Titleist golf bag, a Footjoy shirt and glove for his outstanding form.
CHANGE WORKS: Swing changes advised by his cousin, former Touring Pro and now coach Terry Price, has seemingly worked wonders for genial Headland member and long-time generous club sponsor, Justin Walsh. Justin won Wednesday’s amateur division of the Australian PGA Legends Tour Championship with 40 points and said he was now ‘hitting it a little longer’ thanks to the advice from Terry, who played in his group over the two days of the tournament. But it was not all plain sailing for the former representative Rugby Union player who recently underwent surgery to correct ‘half a dozen’ broken noses, and was still suffering some discomfort. And while Justin proudly took home a Titleist carry bag as his spoils from the win, it was quickly claimed by his son Patrick, a former captain of Headland’s Junior Pennant team,
JOSH STARS: While one former Headland junior – Adam Scott – was enthralling club members, last year’s Junior Champion was outstanding during the two-day Australian PGA Legends Tour Championship on Tuesday and Wednesday. In his first year as a Trainer Pro at Caloundra Golf Club, Josh received an invite into the Legends field and beat all commers home except overall winner Jason Norris (66,70 – 136). His first round 71 followed by 67 on day two for a total of 138, featured 10 birdies and just four bogeys, with seven birdies on Wednesday bettered only by his ‘absolute’ golfing hero, Adam Scott. NOTE: While Adam thrilled and Josh starred, Jamie Holbrook – father of Josh and long-time mate of Adam – also made his presence felt. Playing off four, he had rounds of 76 and 75 for Stableford scores of 36 and 37 respectively.
NUMBER 20: Bob Trevor has surged two ahead of fellow aged wonder and co-Headland member, Ken Anderson, equalling his age in Thursday’s Single Stableford event. His 78 – for 34 Stableford points – is the 20th time Bob has either shot or equalled his age in a round of golf at the club where he has been a member since 1987. The pair of golfing veterans have staged a head-to-head battle in recent years with Bob trailing 81-year-old Ken until two weeks ago when he shot 78 from the black tees in the December Monthly Medal. Bob now leads by two, with Ken last equalling his age on November 16. In Thursday’s round Bob, playing off four, started with a birdie and had 10 pars and seven bogeys in his round, but missed a ‘tiddler’ at the par-three 18th to miss breaking his age by one shot.
PERFECT FINISH: Sue Keays has not won a golf competition since August last year, and says finishing at the right end of the field in the last ‘official’ event for 2022 gives her the impetus she needs to improve even further next year. “My goal is to again be permanently in B Grade next year, and hopefully today’s result might just get me there,” said Sue, who returned 40 points, the best score in Thursday’s Women’s Single Stableford. The Nambour-Based physiotherapist, who has been a Headland member since 2002, had a wipe on her card at the par-five 13th, but augmented that with six three-point holes and a four-pointer at the difficult par-four fourth. Sue won B Grade, while Leeanne Ptak (38 points) was the best in A Grade.
MAVRIK MARVEL: Playing with his recently-purchased Calloway Mavrik irons – which joined his earlier-purchased Mavrik driver and three wood in his bag – Geoff Sawyer had his equal best round at Headland on Thursday. Playing off six, retiree Geoff fired a three over 75 for 39 Stableford points. Two birdies – at holes 12 and 14 – joined 11 pars and five bogeys on a card Geoff said was boosted by some good putting. And while the former Sales and Marketing Manager at Golden Circle is particularly pleased with his new clubs, he was even more complimentary of Head Pro Adam Norlander and his staff, for the price he paid. “A lot of golfers seem to think the big retail outlets offer the best deals on equipment, but that is not the case. Our Pro Shop was not only competitive, they were cheaper,” he said.
NORTHERN INVADERS: Four Headland members – and close mates – have returned from a recent golfing trip to Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula boasting some success. Former Maroochydore cricket teammates Chris Pace, Bryan Haggarty and brothers Mark and Paul Henricks played the two courses at The National – Moonah and Gunnamatta – as well as Sorrento and Rosebud, with Chris winning the event at Moonah and Paul and Chris finishing first and second at Sorrento. None of the four featured in the spoils at Gunnamatta, but the boys did return with a story. The event that day was won by Wilbur Wilde, well-known saxophonist from Ol’ 55 and a comedian from Hey, Hey It’s Saturday, who played off a handicap of 33. And, as one of the first group of Headland members to take advantage of the recently-accredited reciprocal rights with Rosebud Country Club, the quartet played an Ambrose and, according to Paul, had a ‘shocker’. Headland GM Matt Lang, who worked at both The National and Rosebud before joining Headland, assisted in organising the golfing arrangements.
RADIO ROGER: Headland’s House Director, Roger Van Ginkel, has become a local radio star. The affable Roger, who trained as a Radio Announcer at 2AY Albury just on four decades ago, has scored a local gig on Sunshine FM 104.9, the most ‘listened-to’ radio station on the Sunshine Coast. Under the pseudonym Roger Van, the electronics graduate commands the airwaves between 10pm and midnight from Monday to Friday, playing the hits from the 50s through to the 80s. Headland Golf Club is one of the many sponsors supporting the not-for-profit Sunshine FM. NOTE: On Boxing Day, Roger Van will be hosting the noon to 6pm timeslot.
JOLLY BREAK: In an effort to enjoy the festive season to the max, management and staff of Headland Headlines will take a break for a couple of weeks. The phone, computer and word processor will rest, recuperate and regenerate, in readiness for what looms as a huge 2023 golf program at Headland. HH will return on Monday, January 15, with results and anecdotes from the first week of official competition rounds. HH thanks Headland members for their continued support, approachability and co-operation, and wishes all a Happy Christmas and a myriad of pars, birdies and eagles in the new year.
WEEKLY RESULTS:
Tuesday, Australian PGA Legends Tour Championship – sponsor Living Choice – Day One (56 players) – Jason Norris (66 nett), Peter Fowler (68), David McKenzie (68), Richard Backwell (68), Adam Levesconte (68). Amateurs (52 players) – Barry Newton (41 points), Scott Aufderheide (40), Ian Farrington (38), Quentin Poulsen (38), Chris Clarke (38). Fourball Best Ball Stableford (94 players) – Richard Backwell and Dave Mansley (45 points), Lucas Bates and Scott Aufderheide (45), Simon Jagot and Brad Longfield (45)
Wednesday, Australian PGA Legends Tour Championship – sponsor Living Choice – Day Two (55 players) – Steve Conran (68 nett), Peter Senior (68), John Senden (69). Amateurs (57 players) – Justin Walsh (40 points), Josh Holbrook (38), Barry Newton (38). Fourball Best Ball Stableford (106 players) – Steve Conran and Mark Henricks (47 points), Lucas Bates and Jamie Duffy (44), Peter Fowler and Shane Muller (44).
Australian PGA Legends Tour Championship – sponsor Living Choice – Overall – Jason Norris (66,70 – 136), Peter Fowler (68,71 – 139), Peter Lonard (69,70 – 139), Peter Senior (72,68 – 140).
Thursday, Single Stableford – Women (59 players) – A Grade, Leeanne Ptak (38), Louise Harriott (37), Narelle Hollowood (37); B Grade, Sue Keays (40), Susan Briffa (38), Shirley Eggleton (38). Men (103 players) – Geoff Sawyer (39), Roger Bryce (39), Barry Mapes (38).
Saturday, Closing Day Four-Person Ambrose (248 players) – Lachie Moffat, Alex Dwyer, Doc Fleming and Lachie Keenan (53.125 nett), Liz Dunford, Tony Dunford, Sandee Brimblecombe and Ross Brimblecombe (55.875), Tim Diedricks, Bryan Haggarty, Olaf Nippierd and Mark Swift (56.5), Ken Wedmaeir, Steve Browne, Dave Mansley and Andrew Nairne (56.625), Kate Wilkie, Peter Richardson, Simon Richardson and Mick Prince (56.875).
Juniors, Parent-child competition – Girls, 8-10 – Emma and Scott Ingham (50 strokes); Boys, 7-11 – Blake and Adam Rydwanski (34); 8-10 years – Ben and Steve Cox (33); 11-13 years – Harrison and Josh Lane (36).
