From Tony Durkin

FAIRWAYS TESTED: He spends his working week testing soil so, on Sunday, Civil Engineer Tom Hewitt thought he would assess the condition of the fairways at Headland after Tropical Cyclone Alfred had caused the course to be closed for the previous three days. And despite a hiccup – a triple bogey seven at his opening hole – Tom delivered a five-star report on the course, equalling his best-ever round of 80, and scoring victory in the Medley Single Stableford event. “It wasn’t as wet as I thought it would be, although we did get hammered with rain over the final few holes,” said the 34-year-old former Sunshine Coast University Rugby front rower. After his poor start, 12-handicapper Tom scored 12 pars and five bogeys for his second win as a five-year member, penning 40 points. But his celebratory mood was moderated with the thoughts of his parents, who live in Hervey Bay, where Tom played golf as a junior. “They were smashed by the deluge up there during Saturday night,” he divulged. Married with two small children, Tom manages a soil and concreting lab on the Sunshine Coast. 

‘BLUE’ GOLF: Her best round of golf in 14 months came totally out of the blue for gold medal-winning Masters rower Catherine Peterson, and she could not be happier. “I never know if, or when, my best golf will arrive, but I’m always pleased when it does,” said Catherine, after scoring 39 points to win Tuesday’s Single Stableford for Women. Putting on the ‘not-too-fast’ greens saved her round, with just one three-putt green on her consistent card which revealed a four-point par at the tough 17th, three three-pointers, 12 twos and two single-point holes. “But no wipes,” declared the retired Phys Ed Teacher who says her former super-competitive attitude does not co-exist with golf. “After coming through SWING with the original group in 2013, I play golf purely for the exercise, the fun and the camaraderie,” she quipped. But she is still determined to reduce her current GA handicap of 18.6 closer to her all-time low of 14.6.

REHAB RECORDS: Naturally, Chris Klazema did not enjoy his eight-day stay in hospital last November and the resultant three-month rehab following a stroke. But he has certainly relished his greatly-improved golf since returning to the Headland fairways in January. On Tuesday, the 15-year member shot his best score – one-over 73 – his lowest nine – three-under 33 – and now has his lowest-ever GA handicap – 6.9 – and reckons he knows why. “My medical rehab team told me to hit golf balls, even before I was allowed to get back out and play 18 holes,” he revealed after scoring 41 points to win Tuesday’s Single Stableford for Men. “Since January I have been playing twice a week, but still hitting balls, as part of my rehab, every other day.” With three birdies and six pars, Chris scorched around the back nine in 33 strokes on Tuesday, after shooting a birdie, three pars and five bogeys for four-over 40 on the front. “It is my best round by three shots,” he beamed, and thanked Head Pro Adam Norlander for introducing him to a new set of Titleist T-150 irons back in September. “I just enjoy hitting them. They feel so good.” 

HAIRY EVENT: Such was the effect of the wind on the course on Monday, Kay Campbell had an appointment with her hairdresser the following morning before saddling up for another round. And while her Monday round may have been a ‘hairy’ experience, the octogenarian still managed to be the only Headland player – male or female – to better their handicap in the Vets Single Stableford event. Having first started playing golf in Papua New Guinea more than 50 years ago, Kay reunited with the game in 2015 when she graduated from Headland’s very successful SWING program. “I was 71 years of age, had not played for so long, and thought I should get back to a game I once enjoyed so much,” she revealed after scoring 37 points to win the Women’s event which hosted Maroochy River Vets. And despite penning 112 shots from her very generous handicap of 40, Kay was proud of the fact she had no pick-ups on her card. The highlight of her first win in ‘at least two years’ was seven three-point holes. “My long-term goal is to get my handicap down to under 30, or bust,” she quipped.

ALFRED FUN: Unaware of what Tropical Cyclone Alfred might have in store, four good mates – all A Grade golfers – decided to ‘have some fun’ on Wednesday, and play from the red tees. “We did it for a bit of a giggle,” conveyed one of the four, Andy Whitmore. “But I doubt I will be doing it again.” Andy played to his daily handicap of six, while his regular playing partners – Gary Marr (8), Paul Clarke (7) and Darcy Brown (8) experienced differing results. Gary, with 41 points, won A Grade and Andy said he was ‘dead unlucky’. “Unlike the rest of us, Gary played out of his skin and should have shot his first sub-par round. He lipped out half a dozen times at least,” he said. And although the ‘fun’ the quartet expected did not eventuate for all members, Andy said it was still a very challenging round. “Playing from the red tees is not necessarily easier. In fact, it is a much different game, with many challenging decisions to be made from the closer tees,” he said. In his round of 77, Gary Marr scored three birdies, nine pars, five bogeys and a double. Jim Saunderson (40 points) won B Grade, and Peter Wood (38) saluted in C Grade.

MIXED CHAMPS: Weather permitting, Headland’s 2025 Mixed Foursomes Championship will go ahead on Saturday as planned, with 44 pairs entered for the event. Morning tee-times will be between 6.36 and 7.32, and afternoon times from 11.16am to 12.12. The event is again sponsored by members Erik and Tove Larsen of Cirlock, who will contest the Championship as a pairing. Defending Champions Sharon Purnell and Adam Richards will start as red-hot favourites, with the strongest competition expected from Sharon Thomas and Wayne West, Rob Van Delft and Robyn Muir, Annabel Harris and Shane Muller, Vicky Sheridan and Adam Rydwanski and the evergreen Josie Ryan, partnered by Sean McGill, who have won the Championship three times. An Overflow competition will also be played, but in threes, while five additional spots – allowing for 20 extra players – have been added for Sunday’s Medley Single Stableford.

WEEKLY RESULTS: 

Monday, Vets, Single Stableford – sponsor Perry and Oster – Women (25 players) – Kay Campbell (37 points), Robyn Boreham (35), Rebecca Masters (32).

Men (88 players)- A Grade, Doug Conn (39 points), Col Pledge (35), Nick Cox (35); B Grade, Ross Itzstein (36), John Marrington (34), David Parker (32); C Grade, Paul Kenny (35), Alan Reed (34), Bob Keogh (34). 

Tuesday, Single Stableford, Women (27 players) – Catherine Peterson (39 points), Coralie Snowball (37), Kathy Petrie (36).

Men (63 players) – Chris Klazema (41 points), Bruce Horton (39), John Jamieson (37).

Wednesday, Medley Single Stableford (113 players) – A Grade, Gary Marr (41 points), Tim Diedricks (37), Bevan Horsnell (37); B Grade, Jim Saunderson (40), Terry Lawlor (40), Scott Simpson (39); C Grade, Peter Wood (38), Douwe Hoeksema (37), Doug Bannam (35).

Thursday, Women, Monthly Medal – sponsor, Jodi McDonell, Century 21 on Duporth – (competition cancelled because of Cyclone Alfred)

Single Stableford (competition cancelled because of Cyclone Alfred).

Men, Single Stableford (competition cancelled because of Cyclone Alfred).

Saturday, Monthly Medal – sponsor, Ryan Tomlinson, Century 21 on Duporth (competition cancelled because of Cyclone Alfred). 

Sunday, Medley Single Stableford (29 players) – Tom Hewitt (40 points), David Talbot (39), Tony Briffa (39).