From Tony Durkin
BEN IS HOT: Headland’s lowest handicapped player, 19-year-old Ben Duncombe, shot the first under-par round of the 2023 Headland Men’s Championship on Sunday and appears to be in the box seat to win his first senior title as a four-year member. Playing from plus one, last year’s Junior Champion fired three birdies and two bogeys in his hot round of 67, and he shares the Championship lead on 143 with 53-year-old former Headland Trainee Professional, Wayne West. Ben hit back from a horror first round 76 on Saturday after struggling in ‘unbelievably’ early-morning windy conditions, while Wayne’s weekend of golf was a very consistent 73-70. The other outstanding round of the weekend came from another former Trainee Professional, Shane Muller, whose Sunday card revealed two birdies and two bogeys, for a par round of 68. But, like Ben, Shane also struggled on Saturday, with a first round 80 leaving him five shots from the two-round lead. While Wayne and Matt Prince (144) are closest to the teenager with next weekend’s two rounds remaining, the biggest threats appear to be his fellow Pennant team members Sean McGill (145), and Adam Rydwanski (147). Defending Champion Adam Richards (74/79 -153), a five-time Champion, and fellow five-time winner Dave Rattray (75/77-152) appear out of the race unless they can unleash their renowned Championship qualities in the final two rounds. Denis Orr leads the Championship race in B Grade, and Mick Prince and Ross Itzstein share top billing in C Grade.
JACK’S BACK: Jack Nicholas, the man carrying the most legendary golfing moniker at Headland, has experienced a similarly fabled weekend of golf in the first two rounds of the 2023 Men’s Championship. On Saturday Jack, playing from a handicap of nine, scored nett 72 from his unusually shabby round of 81, which included eight bogeys and three doubles. But within 24 hours he turned his nett score into his gross, shooting two birdies, 11 pars, four bogeys and a lone double in a round of 72, for an A Grade best nett on Sunday of 63. That score was matched by retiring Club President Jon Welch and Doc Fleming, both in B Garde, while Stephen Van Der Linde (65) was the best in C Grade on Sunday.
CLEVER TREVOR: When Trevor Gourlay retired 3½ years ago, his goal was to play more golf and reduce his handicap – a plan which has worked a treat. On Saturday, Trevor shot his lowest round in a Cub Championship ‘by a mile’ when he scored 90 from his 23 handicap to win the C Grade nett by three strokes. “I had some luck, which is always needed, and there were no blowouts,” said the 31-year Headland member who added a birdie at the ninth hole (original eighth) to his 11 bogeys and six doubles. Once an 18-marker – ‘many years ago’ – Trevor’s handicap had blown out to the late 20s before his retirement, but now playing at least twice a week he hopes to again get close to that low mark. Matt Prince (71/66) returned the best gross and nett scores in A Grade, Mark Wittholz (79/67) achieved the same feat in B grade while Mick Prince (85) returned the best C Grade gross score.
PIONEERS WIN: Two graduates from Headland’s original SWING program of 2013, Kathy Walker and Libby Hall, have teamed to win their first Fourball together. And, to add a sweetener to the breakthrough result, their score – 49 points – is the best returned in a Women’s competition this year, and the equal best in all competitions since Brett Beaumont and David James scored 50 points in May. Kathy and Libby jumped out of the blocks like champions, scoring a ‘perfect’ 27 points on their first nine, with Kathy birdieing hole 1B for four points. And despite their lone one-pointer at the par-five 15th (the original 13th), the duo recovered superbly, with Libby adding another four-pointer with par at the 17th (the original 16th hole). “We co-ordinated well,” said the modest Kathy, the mother of 2020 Headland Club Champion Scott Walker, who now lives in Melbourne.
NO PIKING: He may be playing from the second-lowest handicap of his golfing career (9.3), but recently-retired Jack Pyke is not shying away from the challenge that handicap presents. And he proved just that on Wednesday when he scored plus four to win the A Grade Single Par event, sponsored by Dave Mayes of U-Blinds Australia. In fact, the 64-year-old, who sold his steel fabrication business eight months ago and has included the Boulia Camel Races and Outback Masters Golf on a ‘much-needed break’ in his new caravan, had back-to-back scores of 39 and 37 points in his most recent Headland outings before Wednesday’s win. “My lowest handicap was 7.6 back in 2020, and at the time I thought that was unsustainable,” he said after his round of 76 on Wednesday which included a birdie, 11 pars, six bogeys and just one double. “But now that I have retired and have more time on my hands, my intention is to consistently play at this level.” Tony Mitchell (B Grade winner) had the best score of the day with plus five, David Parker (plus three) won C Grade and Lance Milne and Mark Selig scored plus 12 to win the associated Fourball.
GOOD SWING: When the well-respected – and well credentialled – Bob Trevor informed John Kamm on Tuesday that he had put ‘a good swing’ on his opening drive, the former postman gained some much-needed self-assurance. And that confidence was reflected in a first-nine of one-over par 34 and an eventual round of 75 for the 13-marker, his lowest as a 28-year Headland member. “I find I play much better when I have confidence in my game, and I needed plenty of that after the previous Saturday’s round of 26 points,” reflected John, whose 42 points on Tuesday won the Men’s Single Stableford competition by three points. With 10 pars and a birdie on his card, the only blemish was a four-putt double at the par-four 13th hole (the original 11th) on a ‘lightning fast’ green.
HOT FORM: Three of Headland’s in-form women golfers have continued their recent hot streak, with birdies galore in good rounds. Lisa Ramen (handicap nine) won Monday’s Vets A Grade Stableford with 38 points, penning two birdies and seven pars on her car in a round of 75. A day later Dora Habgood (11) also shot two birdies in her winning round of 40 points, to win Tuesday’s A Grade for Women from Vicky Sheridan (11), another on a current run of excellent scores. Had Dora not wiped one hole and also recorded a double bogey, she could have shot the lights out, with her birdie double accompanied by 10 pars. And Denise Lawson (38 handicap) was another to shine in the Vets, scoring two four-pointers and six three-pointers in her winning B Grade score of 39 points.
WELCOME BACK: Gary Rugless ‘really missed’ his regular rounds of golf when he was sidelined for six months, until June, because of a hip replacement, and Thursday’s winning score of 40 Stableford points and a booty of $125 made him realise just how much the absence hurt. “I’m just happy to be back playing again,” said Gary, who was never a serious golfer until he joined Headland a decade ago. His score of 40 points may not be anywhere near his best-ever – a 76 off the bat four years ago for a phenomenal 46 points – but the winning prize is the most he has won as a golfer. And although he thinks his best golf is now behind him, the ex-Fiery is keen to get somewhere back near his lowest handicap of 14, from his current GA mark of 17. Gary’s winning Thursday card was highlighted by a birdie and six pars, with a consistent six twos and three threes on his back nine of 21 points.
GROOVY WINNER: Armed with his new TaylorMade Stealth driver, gifted him from the Pro Shop by his children for his 70th birthday, Michael Phillips claimed he was simply ‘in the grove’ when he won Monday’s A Grade Vets Single Stableford. “My putter ran hot and the new driver is working a treat,” enthused the former teacher who scored 40 points, with eight pars and 10 bogeys on his card. A month to the day since he turned 70 and took ownership of the new driver following a recommendation from Head Pro Adam Norlander, Michael said it had taken a little while to become accustomed to the club. “But it was the putter that helped most. For some reason every time I stepped up to putt, I could see the break,” revealed the ex-West Australian who rode in a cart as a rarity, and said he was more relaxed. Haenga Pirini (also 40) won B Grade and Andrew Hempsall (37) won C Grade.
PRINCELY SUM: Fanatical NRL Eels’ fan Matt Prince was somewhat bemused last Monday when he collected his repaired lob wedge from Head Pro Adam Norlander, and was told the cost for the work was $54.10. Matt was confused at not just the ‘odd’ amount charged, but mystified because the original quote had been $60. It was then that Adam, a long-time Broncos fan and renowned prankster, reminded him that the night before the Broncos had smashed the Eels 54-10. But that was not the end of Adam’s footy banter. Another confused Eels’ fan, Greg Stray, was asked on the previous Saturday if he was originally from Stockport, in South Australia. Stockport’s postcode just happens to be 5410. NOTE: Matt’s week improved however, scoring a first-round three-over 71 to lead the field in the 2023 Club Championship, by two shots.
EAGLES FLY: A flock of eagles flew over Headland during the past week, three of them landed on the course and two orchestrated holes in one. The first came on Wednesday when Paul Henricks scored his sixth eagle as a Headland member when he dunked his second shot at the par-four 14th (the 12th on the original course). Then, 24 hours later Kerry Longworth aced the par-three 16th on the shortened course, her third hole in one. Robyn Muir then completed the Headland hattrick in Saturday’s Medley Single Stableford, acing hole 1B. But the milestone holes did little to enhance the score of any of the trio, although Kerry and her playing partner Patrice Jenkins did manage to finish seventh in Thursday’s Women’s Fourball, with 44 points. But on Saturday, Paul scored minus three in the Medley Single Par event, while Robyn could muster only 30 points on Saturday.
MEN’S PENNANT: Venue for final of the 2023 Sunshine Coast/Glasshouse A Grade Pennant competition has been confirmed as the Palmer Coolum Resort, on Sunday September 10. Headland was unbeaten in the competition and will play Beerwah in the final, a team Headland trounced 5-2 in the second round of the competition, played at Maroochy River. The first players in the final will tee off at 8am, and Headland members are urged to attend, and show their support.
WEEKLY RESULTS:
Monday, Vets, Single Stableford – sponsor, Perry & Oster – Women (39 players) – A Grade, Lisa Ramen (38 points), Jill Nixey (36), Gwen Nancarrow (36); B Grade, Denise Lawson (39), Wendy Burnie (36), Christine Hall (35).
Men (78 players) – A Grade, Michael Phillips (40), Gary Savill (38), Tony Coad (38); B Grade, Haenga Pirini (40), Tony Briffa (39), Wayne Chugg (38); C Grade, Andrew Hempsall (37), Peter Birt (36), Andrew Martin (35).
Tuesday, Single Stableford – Women (44 players) – A Grade, Dora Habgood (40 points), Vicky Sheridan (37), Ali Lamond (34); B Grade, Margaret Moran (37), Julie Lewis (35), Anne Hayward (34).
Men (72 players) – John Kamm (42), Mark Garcia (39), Bradley Simpson (39).
Wednesday, Medley Single Par – sponsor, David Mayes, U-Blinds Australia (230 players) – A Grade, Jack Pyke (plus 4), Peter Francis (+2), Glen Teakle (+2); B Grade, Tony Mitchell (+5), Annabel Harris (+3), Terry Lawlor (+3); C Grade, David Parker (+3), Wayne Deague (+3), Lance Milne (+3). Fourball Best Ball Par – Mark Selig and Lance Milne (+12).
Thursday, Women, Fourball Best Ball Stableford (118 players) – Kathy Walker and Libby Hall (49 points), Trish Murphy and Trish Arden (47), Kay Campbell and Marg White (45), Sue Briffa and Kate Wilkie (45).
Men, Single Stableford (94 players) – Gary Rugless (40), Tony Dunford (38), Trevor Simpson (37).
Saturday, Men’s Championship, round one – sponsor, Tim Reid, NeuBau Group – (158 players) – A Grade, gross, Matt Prince (71), Justin Nicholson (73); nett, Jamie Holbrook (69), Brett Hardner (69); B Grade, gross, Mark Wittholz (79), Ian Farrington (8); nett, Glenn Brooker (70), Peter Gablonski (70); C Grade, gross, Mick Prince (85), Roger Van Ginkel (88); nett, Trevor Gourlay (67), Lindsay Blair (70).
Overflow, Medley Single Stableford – (54 players) – Danny Shaw (36 points), Peter Leggo (36), Peter Andrews (36).
Juniors, Eight-hole Stroke – Benjamin Cox (orange line, 40 strokes), Finn Darlison (orange, 43), Dominic Manning (orange, 45), Dylan Manning (pink, 46), Braxton Duggan (pink, 46).
Sunday, Men’s Championship, round two – sponsor, Tim Reid, NeuBau Group – (156 players) – A Grade, gross, Ben Duncombe (67), Shane Muller (68); nett, Jack Nicholas (63), Wayne West (67); B Grade, gross, Ken Anderson (76), Simon Whittle (76); nett, Jon Welch (63), Doc Fleming (63); C Grade, gross, Emmet Walsh (85), Zac Boland (86); nett, Stephen Van Der Linde (65), Barrie Whelan (68).
Top 10 Championship contenders: Den Duncombe (76/67-143), Wayne West (73/70-143), Matt Prince (71/73-144), Sean McGill (76/69-145), Justin Nicholson (73/72-145), Dan Diachkoff (75/71-146), Adam Rydwanski (73/74-147), Shane Muller (80/68-148), Michael Zeckomske (74/76-150), Scott Bromfield (78/73-151).
Overflow, Medley Single Stableford – (29 players) – Thomas Engelbrecht (39 points), Dave Sims (38), Derrick Bogart (36).
