From Tony Durkin
CLASSIC CLOSING: With the lowest handicap in the biggest field of the year, four Headland Pennant players combined to shoot the lights out and win Saturday’s 2023 Closing Day Medley Ambrose. Ben Duncombe (+4), Josh Holbrook (+3), Sean McGill (+1) and Brad Butler (1) shared a combined handicap of minus 0.875, and prevailed in the field of 255 to score nett 51.875, and win by 0.125 of a stroke. In what may well be an Ambrose record for Headland, the quartet fired 18 under, with two eagles, 14 birdies and two pars on their brilliant card. “It was one of those very rare golfing days,” said Sean. “One of us hit it close on almost every hole, and birdie seemed like par.” Eagles came at holes seven and 13, while the pars were at two par threes, eight and 18. An electrical storm in the afternoon caused the course to be cleared for almost an hour, and with the siren sounding the victors rushed their putts at the eighth. “And we all missed the six-metre birdie putt at 18,” Sean lamented. The vanquished four – Chris Risby, Chris Eccles, Dean Oster and Dom Geeves (52 nett) – were one of the two teams representing sponsor Earl Hicks, of Global Turf.
NEAR PERFECT: Pharmacist Chris Risby prescribed himself an almost-flawless round of golf to win Wednesday’s Medley Single Stableford with 41 points. The five-handicapper shot a par round of 69 on the rejigged course, with a lone bogey at the par-four third hole remedied with a birdie at the par-five seventh, with 16 pars also on his card. “I have never played an easier round of golf,” said the Canadian-born dad of two young boys, who started on the back and parred his opening 11 holes. “I usually scramble, mixing doubles with a few birdies and even the odd eagles, but this was certainly the round of my life.” Chris cannot recall his last win, but thinks it may have been as far back as Masters Monday, four years ago. Chris won A Grade, Fred Muller (40) headed B Grade and Peter Keane (38) won C Grade, while the team of Brendan Duncan, Tom Burnett, Lang Pryor and Callan Molloy scored 121 points to win the Follies Foursomes event.
LAURA WINS: Recent SWING graduate Laura Mason-Baierl has won the Ann Alsbury Award as Headland’s Most Improved female golfer for 2023. The Language Teacher, who has become totally hooked on golf since she graduated from SWING in 2021, has won the award not just because she has reduced her handicap by 6.4 strokes in the past 12 months, but also in recognition of her ‘general presence and participation’. Laura, who moved to Australia from her native Switzerland after meeting her Aussie husband Russell 29 years ago while studying at university, has further shown her commitment to the club by joining Headland’s Future Fund Sub Committee. “I am so pleased, and so happy,” said Laura, who revealed winning this award had actually been her goal for 2024. “It was pure joy for me, and I am thankful to my fellow members for making me so welcome.” Laura added her thanks to former President John Alsbury for sponsoring the award in honour of his late wife, and said she intended to honour Ann’s memory with ‘real gusto’. Kay Campbell had the biggest handicap reduction in 2023, from 40.2 to 33.6. All 2023 award winners are listed below.
WOMEN’S AWARDS: Best Eight Rounds, Thursday – A Grade, Gwen Nancarrow (36.38 points), Jenny Ingham (36.12); B Grade, Odette Day (36), Rebecca Masters (35.62); C Grade, Kay Campbell (36), Sue Hadenham (35.38). Best Eight Rounds, Saturday, Gail Young (36.38), Vicky Sheridan (36.12). Triple Challenge, Julie Halliday (152), Maria Hireme (150). Order of Merit, Thursday – A Grade, Lisa Ramen (1152), Robyn Muir (1400); B Grade, Jodie McDonell (1520), Odette Day (1210); C Grade, Maureen Cartledge (965), Bec Francis (880); Saturday – Vicky Sheridan (2345), Gwen Nancarrow (2235). Most Improved (Ann Alsbury Trophy) – Laura Mason-Baierl; Biggest Handicap Reduction, Kay Campbell.
SURPRISE WIN: ‘Nothing special’ was how three-decade member Sandy Jamieson described his winning round at Headland on Tuesday. “In fact, I could not believe 38 points was enough to win the comp,” said the Scottish-born retiree, who last won back in April, in a Fourball, with fellow Scot, Stewart Douglass. Playing from a handicap of 18 – many shots more than his single-figure mark when living in the land of his birth – Sandy said he ‘rarely wins anymore’, adding to his surprise that five three-pointers, 10 two-pointers and three single-point holes headed the field of 62 Tuesday golfers. “It was a nice way for me to finish my golfing year,” he added.
WASHED UP: Not only did Jo McDougall thrash her husband by eight points in Tuesday’s Single Stableford, but as a result Mal had to wash the dishes that night. “That is what is on the line each time we play,” revealed Jo, who topped the Women’s leaderboard with 39 points, her best score since joining Headland and graduating from the 2018 SWING program. The former teachers bought a home near Headland when they moved north following retirement, and took up golf because they ‘had to find something to do’. And while rating her Tuesday victory as very unusual, Jo conceded the current set-up of the course – with seven par threes – suited her game. The 34-handicapper, who penned two four-pointers on her winning card, said golf was just one component of the enjoyment she and Mal derive from Headland. “The members, the staff, the guys in the Pro Shop – everyone is just so friendly,” she beamed.
CLEVER TREVOR: The field may have been small – 62 players – but taking three of the four NTPs on offer in Tuesday’s round of golf is still a marvellous effort for septuagenarian Bob Trevor. Bob was closest to the pin at the fifth (97cm), eighth (508cm) and the 14th (172cm), collecting a grand total of $27 for his magic. And while he hit the 18th, he was well out of contention for another NTP, at ‘about eight metres’ away. But it wasn’t a case of all milk and honey for Bob, who failed to turn one of the his NTPs into a birdie. “I had a terrible day with the putter,” he bemoaned. The achievement by Bob came hot on the heels of an even more outstanding feat by Vicki Sheridan three days earlier, when she collected all four NTPs for the women.
FINAL FLING: Tim Nunan saved his best golf till last in 2023, winning Thursday’s Single Stableford for Men for his first victory of the year. “My form has been up and down. On Wednesday, for instance, I scored just 28 points,” revealed the former Catholic Priest who scored 37 points a week earlier, but was beaten on a countback. Yet his 38 points on Thursday was enough to head the 88-strong field, with victory by a single point. And with Christmas looming, his booty of $132 was a welcomed bonus, with an NTP at the 18th adding to his winning prize of $120. Tim regularly plays on Tuesdays and Thursdays, generally teaming with close friend and former District Court Judge, John Robertson. “We are in a choir together, so often have a singalong on the course,” Tim quipped.
SANTA’S SOJOURN: Like most hard-working Aussies, Santa and his support crew from HHH (Headland Headlines Headquarters) will be taking a festive break for a few weeks. We will return on Monday, January 15, following the first week of competition golf for 2024, and in the interim will rest our weary bones, fingers, eyes and ears. Between now and then, we wish Headland members, staff, and their families, an enjoyable time with their loved ones. Thanks to Headland members who have continued to permit us accessibility – particularly those who preferred to avoid publicity, but proffered HH a quote.
Tuesday, Single Stableford, Women (46 players) – Jo McDougall (39 points), Kirsten Kaergaard (37), Trish Murphy (36). Men (62) players) –Sandy Jamieson (38), Bruce Heseltine (36), John Robertson (36).
Wednesday, Medley Single Stableford (231 players) – A Grade, Chris Risby (41 points), Matt Griffiths (39), Ian Moore (39); B Grade, Fred Muller (40), Mark Davis (38), Darren Padgett (38); C Grade, Peter Keane (38), George Stoopin (38), Michael Gregora (37). Follies Foursomes – Brendan Duncan, Tom Burnett, Lang Pryor and Callan Molloy (121 points).
Thursday, Women, Closing Day Nine-hole Ambrose (112 players) – Front nine, Vicky Maynard, Helen Sedgman, Emilia White and Judy Farmer (29.62 nett), Kathy Atkins, Pik Chong, Gwen Nancarrow and Marg White (30.44); Back nine, Sue Bolton, Di Gilmour, Mouna Humzy and Rebecca Masters (27.22), Dee Davidson, Wil Sprake, Carol Quin and Karen Wilson (30).
Men, Single Stableford (88 players) – Tim Nunan (38 points), John Cleary (37), Bradley Bacon (36).
Saturday, Closing Day, Four-Person Ambrose – sponsor, Earl Hicks, Global Turf – (255 players) – Brad Butler, Ben Duncombe, Sean McGill and Josh Holbrook (51.875); Chris Risby, Chris Eccles, Dean Oster and Dom Geeves (52), Neven Daniel, James Daniel, Dave Sims and Narelle Hollowood (52.5).
