From Tony Durkin
TWIN FIRSTS: Headland’s most decorated golfer registered two wins during the past week, one of which she was not particularly proud. Josie Ryan, with an amazing 55 Headland Honour Board listing including 20 Women’s Championships, tallied 31 points to win Thursday’s three-club (plus putter) event in Division One, possibly the ‘worst’ winning score of her career. But less than 24 hours later the septuagenarian scored one of the most exciting victories of her life. Continuing to receive chemo treatment for her two-year battle with Multiple Myeloma cancer, Josie was told she was in ‘partial remission’ following yet another treatment. “There is no cure for my cancer. My best result can be remission, and my regular treatment of oral chemo and immunotherapy will continue until that occurs,” Josie explained after playing from a 12 handicap on Thursday. “But whereas my cancer cell count is down, my golf handicap has doubled.” While Josie continues to play golf during her treatment – because the exercise is productive – she confesses she often becomes fatigued, particularly in the heat. “I was very lucky on Thursday because there were lightning strikes, and we were called from the course for 40 minutes. That gave me the chance to have a cup of tea, something to eat and a much-needed rest,” she joked. Jenny Hartwig, with 32 points, won Division Two.
BIRDIE WINS: With a shot on every hole, 18-marker Narelle Hollowood committed to playing partner Dave Sims that her job was to ‘look after’ the par threes during Saturday’s Medley Fourball Stableford event. And not only did she stick to her side of the bargain, but Narelle’s birdie at the par-three 18th enabled the pair to win in a big field of 225 players. “Dave and I play together quite a lot, and because he is so consistent from his eight handicap, I knew that he would be Mr Reliable,” she said after their 46 points won on a countback from the pairings of Glen Grimish and Mick Morris, and Ross Roberts and John Miller. “And I think I did my job, with five pars and a birdie, for 19 of our points.” But Narelle conceded that a novice mistake at the early 6.40am start, on the recently-renovated greens, cost the pair some vital points. “I missed a couple of crucial putts because I didn’t clean the sand from my balls before I putted,” she conceded. The win was just Narelle’s second fourball victory in her three years as Headland member, having previously won with another consistent performer, Kate Wilkie, two years ago. Dave’s contribution of 27 points came from four three-point holes and seven twos, while the only blot on their card was his bogey at the par-five seventh, for one point.
LESSONS LEARNED: A nine-hole ‘playing’ lesson with Head Pro Adam Norlander has paid handsome dividends for Michael Fortune, a Mechanical Engineer who retired to the Sunshine Coast from Melbourne seven years ago. Michael returned the best score in Wednesday’s Medley Single Stableford, winning C Grade with 42 points. But his lesson with Adam has not been the only brainstorming by the 71-year-old self-confessed ‘student’ of golf. “I watch a lot of the experts on YouTube, and have also been getting feedback from my 11-year-old grandson Harry Davies, who has started lessons with our junior coach Leon Faulkner,” revealed Michael, whose last win was in October two years ago, with his best Headland score of 44 points. “So, I’m actually taking some tips from Leon as well, via Harry.” Michael’s Wednesday round was by no means perfect, with his 10 three-point holes and a four-point par at the fourth soiled by two wipes. “It just goes to show that we are never too old to keep learning,” he quipped. Brad Reed, with four birdies in his round of 74 for 40 points, won A Grade, and Wayne Harriott (39) broke through after a long drought, to win B Grade.
FISHY GOLF: Carolyn Fisher was, naturally, excited at winning her inaugural Headland event on Sunday after just four months as a member. And the childcare professional was ecstatic that she collected $80 for the victory, beating 59 others in the Medley Single Stableford event, with her 39 points. But the icing on the cake for Carolyn was joining fellow golf rookie Nicola Whitmore to beat their respective husbands, Andrew and Andy, for the side bet. “That was very, very satisfying,” beamed Carolyn, who openly admits she is something of a golf addict. “I play at least three times a week, and went out in the Medley nine-hole competition yesterday (Saturday), which was halted by rain after six holes.” But the rain did not prevent Carolyn from attaining biggest golfing thrill to date – a birdie at the par-three 14th hole, with her pin shot finishing closer than the official NTP for the big Medley Fourball field. Carolyn penned eight three-pointers and seven twos on her Sunday card, and won by a single shot.
VALE VAL MANNION: A Celebration of Life will be held at Headland Golf Club on Sunday (February 23) for long-serving member Val Mannion, who passed away on February 6. Val, who moved north from Victoria with her husband Jim in the 80s, played in six winning Headland Pennant teams during her 44 years as a member, and scored a remarkable five holes in one. Two years ago she celebrated her 90th birthday at Headland, with many of her golfing friends in attendance.
WEEKLY RESULTS:
Tuesday, Medley Single Stableford – back nine twice – (62 players) – Alan Stratford (36 points), Trevor Simpson (36), Jock McLaughlin (35).
Wednesday, Medley Single Stableford – front nine twice – (118 players) – A Grade, Brad Reed (41 points), Ty Pilcher (40), Paul Clarke (38); B Grade, Wayne Harriott (39), Paul Anderson (35), Graham Clarke (34); C Grade, Michael Fortune (42), Peter Barbour (35), Brian Hermiston (34).
Thursday, Women, Three-club Single Stableford (sponsors, Robyn Boreham, Di Stark, Gail Young and Marg Moran) – front nine twice – (61 players) – Division One, Josie Ryan (31 points), Bev Kelly (29), Jenny Stokes (29); Division Two, Jenny Hartwig (32), Trish Arden (30), Lesley Wilson (29).
Men, Single Stableford – front nine twice – (25 players) – Paul Anderson (37 points), Geoff Sawyer (36), Colin Cross (34).
Saturday, Medley Fourball Best Ball Stableford (225 players) – Narelle Hollowood and Dave Sims (46 points), Glen Grimish and Mick Morris (46), John Miller and Ross Roberts (46), Simon Groom and Neil Playford (45), Ross Wedmaier and David Parker (45).
Juniors, nine-hole stroke, Dominic Manning (42), Max Faulkner (42), Jenson Bannister (43), Finn Darlison (43), Keaton Fox (47), Matthew Bothma (47).
Sunday, Medley Single Stableford (60 players) – Carolyn Fisher (39 points), Jack Swanepoel (38), Mac Egan (38).
