From Tony Durkin
BRETT’S BEST: Starting with a triple-bogey seven on his first hole (the par-four 10th, formerly the 12th) on Saturday, Brett Beaumont could hardly be blamed for recalling a round six weeks ago which yielded a paltry 16 Stableford points. But boosted by the challenge of beating the ‘opposition’ – Tony Kelleher and Mick Kinnear – he regained his composure, scored 23 points over the next eight holes on his way to his best-ever Stableford score of 45 points, and a win in B Grade. “I know everyone says the same thing, but it was simply one of those days when everything fell into place,” claimed the 14-year Headland member. And adding to his delight, Brett broke 80 for the first time, his 79 including the seven at his first hole. He scored three birdies – a rare feat, he says – as well as five pars and seven bogeys. But more was to come. Teaming with David James in the associated Medley Stableford, Brett took his prizemoney for the day to $166.50 with a team score of 50 points, and a win. Sean McGill (39 points) won A Grade and David Parker (39) won C Grade.
‘ONYA’ NANNA: Feeling the effects of the ‘flu and being a tad rusty from not a lot of golf lately, Naomi Doyle reproduced her form from the recent Club Championships to win Saturday’s Single Stableford for Women. Naomi, who has been busy of late playing Nanna to her grandchildren, did not realise her score – 39 points – was a winner until after her round. She simply wanted to concentrate, ‘shot by shot’. “I finished fourth in B Grade in the Clubs Champs, and was keen to replicate that form,” said Naomi, whose very consistent card included six three-point holes – five of them on the back nine – and no wipes.
NEVER AGAIN: New member Olaf Nippierd scored 45 Stableford points on Thursday, announced he had ‘never played like that before’, and doubts he ever will again. Playing off a generous handicap of 28, the semi-retired ex-Melbournian scored a remarkable 24 points on the front nine, with six three-point holes on his card. “Everything went exactly as I hoped, and my playing partners were really supportive,” said Olaf, who joined Headland in November last year. And despite a wipe on the back nine – at the tough par-four 13th (the 15th) – he still managed 21 points, highlighted by a four-point par at his 17th (the par-four first). A member at Riversdale Golf Club before moving north, Olaf said a recent illness is the major reason his GA handicap has ballooned from 16 to 30 in the past decade.
DEL’S DISTRESS: She returned the winning score in Thursday’s Single Stableford for Women, but the major reaction from Del Whittaker when contacted by Headland Headlines was her disappointment at three-putting her final hole. “It’s my best round since the Club Championships, but it could have been ever better,” said Del who scored 41 points to win C Grade. Personal issues have meant Del has not been playing as regularly as usual, but she was ‘really pleased’ with her Thursday round which featured two birdies – both four-pointers – three three-point holes and no wipes. “I’m back to playing once a week,” said the 27-year member whose previous best score was 72 nett during the recent Club Championships. And while happy with her score, Del is disappointed with her handicap. “I was on 19 a few years ago. Now I am on 29,” she sighed. Rebecca Master (38 points) win A Grade and Allison Bradshaw continued her recent great form with 40 points in B Grade.
REID RULES: “I know it’s par 68 at the moment, but what the heck,” was the reaction of Bruce Reid when the decade-long member shot his age at Headland on Wednesday. The 77-year-old former teacher at Brisbane’s Lourdes Hill College for girls scored a personal best 43 Stableford points to win B Grade, but more importantly shot 76 off the stick on the shortened course. He had two diverse nines – 42 shots on the front with eight bogeys and a par, and a sizzling 34 strokes coming home, with a birdie, seven pars and one bogey. “I couldn’t seem to do a thing wrong on the back nine,” beamed Bruce, who revealed his past three Stableford scores have been 24, 25 and 26 points. And not only did he return the best score of the day in a field of 202, but he and Andrew Hempsall teamed to score 49 points in the associated Fourball, earning Bruce a windfall of $152.50. Quentin Poulsen (41 points) won A Grade and Terry Forsyth (43) won C Grade.
FIRST & BEST: A thrilled Carolyn Richardson became the toast of her golfing family on Tuesday when she recorded her first win, and best score, as a Headland member. The wife of Brendan, mother of Simon and aunt of Peter – all fellow members – scored 40 points to win the Women’s Single Stableford for first time since she joined the club in 2006. “And it could have been even better,” said Carolyn, reflecting on two wipes in her round which included eight three-pointers and a four-point par at the 17th hole (the par-four first). Recently returning to golf following knee-replacement surgery in October last year, Carolyn said her husband had been a huge encouragement during her return to the game.
KAMM CAN: He may have wiped his final two holes in Tuesday’s Single Stableford, but John Kamm putted out, recorded his scores and – to his utter delight – beat his age for the first time. “I realise the course has been shortened to a par 68, and that the score is not official because I wiped those holes. But to me it is still a major golfing landmark,” said the 77-year-old, who shot 76 off the bat. Standing on the 17th tee (the par-four first) the former postie was three over the card, but finished with a seven and a five. Prior to that he had penned two four-pointers and seven three-point holes on his card, and played the best golf he had in a ‘very, very’ long time. “Maybe, subconsciously, I was protecting my handicap on those final two holes,” jested the 14-marker.
BIRTHDAY BASH: Headland Golf Club turns 68 on Saturday week, June 10, and David Mansley from Mooney’s Insurance Brokers is sponsoring separate Single Stableford events for Women and Men, with a Medley Fourball Best Ball to be played in conjunction. The special event will have a two-tee start – 6.30am and 10.43am – drink specials, a tapas menu and live music will be provided, post golf. Normal competition fees – $14 for members – will apply, and bookings will open on the portal at 6.30pm this coming Saturday.
WOMEN’S PENNANT: Against an opposition with five of its six players sporting lower handicaps totalling 22, Headland’s Diamond Pennant team considered their squared result against the crack Maroochy River at Cooroy on Sunday as good as a win. In an encouraging result, Fiona Munro took the unbeaten Kimberley Crawley to the 16th green before losing 3&2, while the oldest player in the field – 71-year-old Josie Ryan – took the youngest player, Samara Dryden (18), to the 16th, and won 4&2. Sharon Thomas fought valiantly with her putter but lost to Tam Reid (2&1), while Kate Wilkie was unable to match a brilliant Nicola Baynes, and lost 8&7. But a fighting Annabel Harris finished 1-up against Colette Pascoe, and when Karen Wilson closed out her match against Veronique Pin (winning 2&1), Headland players were happy to square their second match of the 2023 Pennant season. Unfortunately, that was the highlight for Headland, with the remaining four teams well beaten on Monday. Sapphires hosted Tin Can Bay, and lost 3½-2½ with Carol Quin (3&2) and Gail Young (3&2) winning, and Althea McLean squaring her match. Emeralds were beaten 5-1 by Beerwah at Mt Coolum, Angela Pearson winning 3&2; Opals lost 5-1 at Caloundra against Noosa, with the only victory a forfeit; and Rubies were beaten 4½ – 1½ by Maroochy River at Mt Coolum, Susie Meade winning 1-up and Sue Harris squaring her match.
JUNIOR PENNANT: Headland’s Junior Pennant team has won its first match for 2023, beating Maroochy River (2) 2½-1½ at home on Sunday. Sam Fichera (2&1) won his match, as did Rian Mitchell (3&2), while Charlotte Ridley squared hers and Flynn Lambalk lost 4&3. Next Sunday the team meets Maroochy River (1), at the new Pelican Waters course.
WEEKLY RESULTS:
Tuesday, Single Stableford, Women (47 players) – Carolyn Richardson (40 points), Cathy Roberts (38), Sylvia Wood (38). Men (60 players) – John Kamm 42), Ian Carruthers (38), John Marrington (38).
Wednesday, Medley Single Stableford – sponsor, Adam Robbins, AR Coastal Scaffolding – (202 players) – A Grade, Quentin Poulsen (41 points), Ross Roberts (41), Mark Selig (40); B Grade, Bruce Reid (43), Gary Ehsman (41), Paul Garth (39); C Grade, Terry Forsyth (43), Aaron Baker (41), Andrew Hempsall (40). Medley Fourball Best Ball Stableford – Bruce Reid and Andrew Hempsall (49 points).
Thursday, Single Stableford, Women – sponsors, Louise Armstrong, Alison Payne, Helen Fraser, Julie Halliday, and Bev Barnes – (118 players) – A Grade, Rebecca Masters (38 points), Kirsten Kaergaard (37), Diane Molineux (36); B Grade, Allison Bradshaw (40), Christine Hall (39), Brenda Smith-Gittings (37); C Grade, Del Whittaker (41), Kath Kingston (38), Pam Andrews (38). Men (77 players) – Olaf Nippierd (45 points), Tony Briffa (40), John Marrington (39).
Saturday, Single Stableford– sponsor, Syd Shilling, Ecokaps Australia – Women (33 players) – Naomi Doyle (39 points), Gail Young (39), Brenda Smith-Gittings (37).
Men (220 players) – A Grade, Sean McGill (39 points), Daniel Brown (39), Andrew Fisher (38); B Grade, Mick Prince (39), Graham Myers (39), Graham Cartledge (39); C Grade, Brett Beaumont (45), Wes Houk (40), David Parker (39).
Medley Fourball Best Ball Stableford – Brett Beaumont AND David James (50).
Juniors – Seven-hole Parent-Child Ambrose, Benjamin and Stephen Cox (Orange tee, 26 nett), Freddy and Michael Lambert (Orange, 27), Flynn and Jack Lambalk (Green, 27), Finn and Chris Darlison (Orange, 28), Liam and Aaron Kerley (Green, 29).
