From Tony Durkin
BEST COURSE: He may be a tiny bit biased, but Brenton Liaropoulos rates Headland ‘possibly the most difficult’ golf course on the Sunshine Coast. And the Apprentice Greenkeeper, who has been working at Headland for 18 months, has finally broken through for his first win as a member of that challenging layout. He won Saturday’s Single Stableford for Men with 41 points from his six handicap, his one-over 73 his best round during his employment, and subsequent membership. He finished three-over on the front nine for 18 points, but came home superbly in two-under 34, with three birdies, a bogey and five pars, for 23 points. “It is the best I have played since I started work here,” said the former Castle Hill (Sydney) Golf Club member, who once played off two. “I love the course. It is in great condition and is very, very challenging,” added the 21-year-old, who finished his schooling at St Andrew’s Christian College Peregian, after moving north. Because of work commitments, Brenton has limited opportunities to play the course, with Saturday and Tuesday afternoons his preferred days. Braden Anderson (40 points) won B Grade, Aaron Baker (41) C Grade and Di Stark (33) won the Women’s event.
SPONSOR WINS: “A little embarrassed, but I suppose it is good publicity for the business,” jested Greg Edgar after he won Wednesday’s Medley Single Stableford, an event sponsored by Greg, Mick Garske and Andy Fidler, of Rapid Equipment Hire. Recently Rapid sold the business and Greg, who has decided to stay on as manager, scored 40 points to head the B Grade table and share the best score of the day with Brendan Duncan (A Grade). And not only did he win his grade and collect $125 from part of the sponsorship ‘donation’, but it was Greg’s first victory as a two-year Headland member. “At last,” he quipped, revealing that he tries to play every Wednesday but often finds it difficult to book a spot on the busy timesheet. “That is one of the reasons we decided to become a sponsor. I get a game, and a cart, and can play with my mates.” Greg moved from Moama in southern NSW in 1999, where he had played golf as a junior at Rich River Golf Club. However, it was not until a few years ago, after playing in some corporate days, that he decided to reunite with the game he once loved. And now that he will have more time following the business sale, he hopes to play more often and improve on his Wednesday round which included seven pars and eight bogeys in his 84 off the bat. Brendan Duncan’s 40 points came from a par round, while Ian Russell scored 39 points to win C Grade.
SINGLE WIN: After success in several fourball events last year, Robyn Muir has kicked off 2025 with victory in Thursday’s Single Par Plus for Women. She scored plus three in the event, despite four minuses from three wipes and a triple bogey. But under the par-plus scoring system, her birdie at the 13th garnered her a double plus and that, added to her five plusses and five squares, gave her Division One victory over Collen Berger, on a countback. Last year Robyn teamed with Cathy Roberts to be the first female pairing to become the Fourball Best Ball Medley Matchplay Champions, won the Patron’s Day Mixed American Foursomes with Barry Newton and partnered Shane Muller as runners-up in the Headland Mixed Foursomes Championship. “It has been a little while since I have won an individual event,” said the 20-handicapper, who inferred she seemed to play better when she felt the accountability of having a partner. “Golf is a real confidence thing with me, and right now I feel my game is coming together okay, although my current handicap is very ugly.” Golf rookie Helen Sedgman, handicap 40, won Division Two, also with plus three.
BACK-TO-BACK: Jayden Johnson-Moody was a Headland member for 14 months before he clinched his first individual victory. Nine days later the Maroochydore State High teacher has gone back-to-back. Jayden scored 42 points last Sunday week to win the Medley Single Stableford, his first event of the year and his first triumph without the help of a partner. Then on Tuesday, while still on school holidays, he beat a field of 76 to claim victory in the Men’s Single Stableford, with 39 points. “I played pretty well, until my last three holes,” he conveyed, revealing a paltry finish of two points from holes seven, eight and nine. But until then the 20-marker was on fire, particularly on the back nine – where he started – with his 24 points garnered from a four-point birdie at 18, four three-point holes and four twos. “I clipped the bunker at the seventh, which rattled me, and I wiped the hole. I then lost it a bit with doubles at eight and nine,” he lamented. However, while still aware his golf game can improve, Jayden is very pleased with the outcome of his recent good form. He collected $100 for Tuesday’s win, which will sit in his House Account alongside the $70 he collected nine days earlier, and the $250 Pro Shop voucher he won with fellow teacher and Caloundra member Anthony Maher in the Future Fund Day in February last year. Fiona Munro (37 points) won the Women’s event, three days after winning the January Monthly Medal.
MORE DRINKS: His dad Mark may travel the world evaluating golf courses as a member of the Golf Digest judging panel, but Sam Henricks is content driving the drinks cart at Headland, and serving beers behind the bar. But the 21-year-old stepped out on the course on Thursday, winning his first event as a member. Sam scored three four-pointers and five three-pointers on his way to a best-ever 41 points in the Men’s Single Stableford, but says it should have been more. “I just missed two birdie putts, both of which would have given me five points,” he revealed. “But I was pleased with my score, and I broke through the 100-barrier for the first time.” A junior member a decade ago, Sam decided to take up golf again when he scored a job at the club in 2023. “Just before the Christmas break, I scored 26 points on the front nine, but the competition was abandoned because of a storm. I knew I was going well today (he penned 23 points on the first nine) but did not look at the leader board once,” he said.
TO THE MAX: Proud to have again beaten his dad, Max Faulkner also left a few other reputations in tatters when he won Sunday’s Australia Day Medley Single Stableford. The 12-year-old, who starts Year 7 at Nambour Christian College this week, penned his second-best round of 88, for 41 points, beating 55-time Headland Honour Board Champion Josie Ryan (40 points) into second place. And while Max is keen to continue reducing his current GA handicap of 21, his round on Sunday would no doubt have impressed fellow Junior Pennant team aspirants Sam Fichera and Charlotte Ridley, both of whom he left in his wake. “He played well today, without too many slipups,” reported his dad Leon, a PGA Professional who manages Headland’s Junior Golf program. Max had a taste of Pennant golf last year and loved it, and is really keen to be a part of the contest again.” Max penned six pars, eight bogeys and four doubles on his winning card, with eight three-point holes and no wipes. His best round – 86 for 44 points – came late last year in another Sunday Medley competition. NOTE: Max was christened Maximus, so named by his Gladiator-besotted dad.
WEEKLY RESULTS:
Tuesday, Single Stableford, Women (42 players) – Fiona Munro (37 points), Wendy Burnie (35), Vicky Sheridan (34).
Men (76 players) – Jayden Johnson-Moody (39 points), Paul Stephens (37), Peter Raymond (37).
Wednesday, Medley Single Stableford – sponsor, Greg Edgar, Rapid Equipment Hire – (230 players) – A Grade, Brendan Duncan (40 points), Brendan Southey (38), Brenton Liaropoulos (37); B Grade, Greg Edgar (40), Eddie Pucella (38), Phil Humzy (37); C Grade, Ian Russell (39), Graham Pitt (38), Malcolm McColm (37).
Thursday, Women, Single Par Plus – sponsors Leeanne Ptak, Vicky Sheridan, Cathy Roberts and Linda Cannon (69 players) – Division One, Robyn Muir (plus 3), Colleen Berger (+3), Sue Jones (+2); Division Two, Helen Sedgman (+3), Di Stark (square), Laura Mason-Baierl (-1).
Men, Single Stableford (58 players) – Sam Henricks (41 points), Colin Cross (38), Chris Klazema (38).
Saturday, Single Stableford – sponsors, Lachlan and John Moffat, Moffat Family Pharmacies – Women (20 players) – Di Stark (33 points), Kirsten Kaergaard (32), Sue Briffa (31).
Men (228 players) – A Grade, Brenton Liaropoulos (41 points), Brad Reed (39), Andrew Stirling (38); B Grade, Braden Anderson (40), Lang Pryor (38), Graeme Brown (38); C Grade, Aaron Baker (41), Ben Laycock (40), Wyndham Tibbits (38).
Sunday, Australia Day Medley Single Stableford (61 players) – Max Faulkner (41 points), Josie Ryan (40), Todd Petrie (37).
