From Tony Durkin
WOMEN’S CHAMPS: Headland has been crowned 2025 Sunshine Coast and South Burnett District Women’s Pennant Champions after today’s (Monday) scheduled final was cancelled. The Weekday Division Two team was to have played Bribie Island at Cooroy, but because of the condition of the course – which has been closed for the past three days – the final was annulled, and Headland declared Pennant Champions because of a lead of half a point at the end of the competition. Captained by Wendy Mosley, members of the Weekday Division Two team were: Sue Bolton, Deb Bennetts, Carol Sinclair, Laura Mason-Baierl, Ree Condon, Jenny Stokes, Kath Barford and Leigh Derigo. And while the victory was sweet, Wendy said the team was disappointed the final had been called off. “But obviously, we are delighted to be declared the Champions, even if by just half a point,” she said. “Even though I have played Pennants for Headland previously, this is my first time as team captain and I am very happy, and proud of my girls. In a real team effort, every member contributed.”
SOGGY BIRTHDAY: Heavy rain from late morning ruined Headland’s 70th birthday golfing celebrations on Saturday, but Brian Callaghan still enjoyed his day out. Although Brian’s regular partners ‘chickened out’, the Construction Surveyor – who plays only Saturday – found some willing allies and scored his first win since December last year. “It was a soggy old day, but we were only sprinkled on for half a dozen holes, otherwise the rain stayed away,” said Brian, whose group was first off in the morning. But he conceded he was ‘all over the place’ early, despite being just one-over the card from his six handicap after six holes. “I scrambled well. I had only six putts in those first six holes,” he revealed. The father of four tabled four birdies, five pars and nine bogeys in his round of 77, for 37 Stableford points, and said that some recent swing issues had seemingly, and hopefully, disappeared. “I have been fairly consistent of late, and generally playing around my handicap,” he said.
LUCKLESS LUKE: The unluckiest golfer in the field of 38 celebrating Headland’s 70th birthday on Saturday was FIFO Maintenance Supervisor, Luke Fluerty. Still a member-in-waiting after two years, Luke takes every opportunity he can to score a round at Headland and being a North Queenslander, the rain on Saturday did not concern him. However, it apparently irritated his playing partners who, after 15 holes, decided to abandon the 21 handicapper. Luke played on, and finished with 40 Stableford points which, under normal circumstances, would have won the competition. Under the rules of golf, without someone to mark his card, Luke’s score could not be ratified, and he was disqualified. But event sponsor, Dave Mansley of Mooneys Insurance Brokers, generously came to the party and presented him a prize which was, fittingly, a Footjoy rain glove, as well as a Callaway cap.
STILL ABSURD: After winning her third Monthly Medal in February, Di Stark claimed golf was ‘a ridiculous game’. And the absurdities about which she spoke back then have continued since, despite the 2015 SWING graduate returning the best score – on a countback – in Thursday’s Single Stableford for Women. Not long after her February win Di was struck by an errant golf ball, which smashed the tendons in her right index finger. Di took a break from golf while she and husband David enjoyed a three-week road trip, but her love of the game is such that she started back – despite irritant finger – on her return. “And I played terribly,” she declared after Thursday’s round of 38 points, to win Division Two. “I could not grip the club properly, and the heavy, wet conditions did not help either. I was having scores in the high teens and low 20s – it was just so frustrating.” But suddenly, on Thursday, she turned things around with her first flagged score since February, and her damaged finger on the improve. Returning the same score of 38 points, Lynn Deacon won Division One, with Trish Arden (35) prevailing in Division Three.
COACH WINS: Headland’s junior coach, Leon Faulkner, lamented bogies on two of his closing five holes which ruined what was shaping as a memorable round at Headland on Wednesday. The owner of Golf Rocks Kids Academy, PGA member Leon still shot his best round at the club – a two-under 70 – for 40 points, and A Grade victory in the Medley Single Stableford. Starting on the back nine, he was four under the card before bogeying the fifth and ninth holes coming home. He also scored a bogey at the par-four 16th, but neutralised those errors with five birdies and 10 pars. “I have shot 71 a few times around here, but that is my best score,” revealed Leon, who moved his family from Sydney to the Sunshine Coast and joined Headland in January 2022. He rates Headland the most challenging course on the Sunshine Coast, particularly inside 100 metres. “The greens are rolling beautifully at the moment, but the slick greens, the surrounds and the new bunkering really presents a challenge,” he said. All three grade winners scored 40 points, with Peter Leggo (B) and Marty Briedis (C) joining Leon on the victory dais.
TERRIBLE GOLF: Former professional tennis player Mick Kinnear describes his recent golf as ‘terrible’, and hopes Tuesday’s first win in 18 months might be the turning point. “I started from a handicap of 26 when I arrived here seven years ago, and worked my way down to 8.3,” revealed Mick, whose business Zero Termite and Pest annually sponsors the Men’s Foursomes Championships. “But for the past year or so I have really struggled, and today I played off 13. I have not been able to hit my driver with any authority whatsoever, and have been struggling to get off the tee.” And despite a recent visit to the Gold Coast where he played five premier courses in seven days, Tuesday’s round again started poorly, with a triple bogey eight at the par-five tenth. But from there things steadily turned around, with 76 shots in the next 17 holes and a winning score of 37 points. “That is my best score in 18 months, so maybe better things are ahead,” he hoped, after scoring two birdies on the front nine in his three-over par 39, for 22 points. “Shane Muller has been giving me some tips, and that has certainly helped.”
SAVED BY PAR: A ‘lucky’ par at the par-four 17th hole on Tuesday has given the popular Gwen Nancarrow her first victory since winning the April Monthly Medal. Gwen, who joined Headland from Darwin in 2003, reckons that now – for the women – Headland is playing as tough as at any time in her 23 years as a member. “I understand it is no-one’s fault, but the course is giving us nothing,” quipped the 23-marker who has won four B Grade Championships over the years. “Even now since the rain has stopped, there are some really wet patches, and just no run at all. We need more sunshine, more wind and no more rain.” And that is why she claimed her par at the 17th, which gave her four points – was the decider in her 35 points winning Tuesday’s Single Stableford for Women on a countback from Lynn Hayman. “I was on for three, which is rare for me these days, and sank a two-metre putt,” she revealed. But despite the tough conditions, Gwen still loves her golf and tries to play two to three times a week.
HEADLAND FAN: Four-year member Stewart Clover, who trialled ‘many’ Sunshine Coast courses before electing to join Headland, has yet another reason to admire the club. Stewart beat two others on a countback to win Sunday’s Medley Single Stableford, and collect a sizeable $130 for his day’s enjoyment. As well as collecting $80 for his first placing, the former Qantas engineer also won $50 for the Pro Pin at the 12th. “As a club, Headland beats everything else on the Sunshine Coast in my opinion,” he enthused. “The course, the staff, the members and the resultant camaraderie combine to make this one big, happy club.” And happy Stewart most certainly was after his 76 off the bat from his handicap of six, which included three birdies, nine pars, five bogeys and a double at the par-four fourth hole. “My second shot was plugged in the face of the bunker, which was a little disappointing and my only reason for a slight grudge,” bemoaned the former member of The Coast Golf Club in Sydney. Now retired, Stewart enjoys the friendship of Headland as many as four times a week. On Sunday, James Daniel (second hole) and Jay Gourlay (fourth) both scored eagles.
GOLF DEVOTEE: When Chris Byrnes and his wife sold their Bundilla dry-cleaning business and retired at the end on 2013, Chris knew he would ‘go mad’ if he didn’t have a sport to play. So, he took up golf. A dozen years later he admits to having developed a chronic love affair with the game. “And there is no better feeling than when you play well,” Chris enthused after scoring 43 points to win Division Two of Monday’s Vets’ competition. “I’m really, really, really, happy. I just love the game.” Recently returned from a golfing trip to Adelaide with eight mates where he played well enough to cut two shots from his handicap, Chris has convinced himself that ‘sometimes, I can play this game okay’. And he certainly played okay on Monday, parring seven of the 18 holes, shooting 87 off the bat and scoring 10 three-pointers from his handicap of 22. His score was the best of the day by five points. David Werner (38 points) won Division One, while Vicky Maynard (33) and Tove Larsen (35) were respective Women’s victors.
JUNIOR PENNANT: Another washout yesterday (Sunday) of the Sunshine Coast Junior Pennant competition means Headland’s Division Three team has been eliminated from the competition. However, news is much better for the two teams in Division Two. Headland’s No.2 side remains unbeaten, and sits atop the ladder on nine points, while the club’s No.2 team is second, on eight points. Next Sunday (June 8), both teams play at Woodford, with Headland (1) against Noosa (sitting fifth) and Headland (2) against Peregian (third). The following week, in the final round of the competition, the two Headland teams meet at home. With the winner crowned on a first past-the-post basis, that final round between the two Headland teams may well decide the 2025 Division Two championship.
WEEKLY RESULTS:
Monday, Vets, Single Stableford – sponsor, Perry Oster Funerals, Women (36 players) – Division One, Vicky Maynard (33 points), Kirsten Kaergaard (32), Linda Cannon (32); Division Two, Tove Larsen (35), Lyn Mansfield (31), Jo McDougall (29).
Men (52 players), Division One, David Werner (38), Burgess Stephenson (37), Peter Blackford (36); Division Two, Chris Byrnes (43), John Logan (35), Erik Larsen (35).
Tuesday, Single Stableford, Women (40 players) – Gwen Nancarrow (35 points), Lynn Hayman (35), Althea McLean (34).
Men (73 players) – Mick Kinnear (37), Grahame Denovan (35), Grant McLachlan (35).
Wednesday, Medley Single Stableford – sponsor, Greg Edgar, Rapid Equipment Hire – (214 players) A Grade, Leon Faulkner (40 points), Brad Butler (39), Josh Vearing (39); B Grade, Peter Leggo (40), Don Harris (39), Jim Saunderson (36); C Grade, Marty Briedis (40), Ed Hoey (38), Trevor Gourlay (37).
Thursday, Women, Single Stableford – sponsors, Helen Fraser, Julie Halliday, Louise Armstrong, Alison Payne, Roz Brandt, Pam Andrews, Di Schultz and Kaye Simmons – (101 players) – Division One, Lynn Hayman (38 points), Helen Fraser (37), Liz Dunford (37); B Grade, Di Stark (38), Ali Lamond (37), Trish Murphy (37); C Grade, Trish Arden (35), Debbie Proud (34), Christine Hall (34).
Men, Four-Person Ambrose (85 players) – Graham Myers, Nick Page, Mick Williams and Tony Waddington (55.125), Adam Richards, Rory Hanley, Sam Henricks and Kyle Ormiston (55.375).
Saturday, Medley Single Stableford – sponsor, Dave Mansley, Mooneys Insurance Brokers – (38 players) – Brian Callaghan (37 points), Deon Breytenbach (35), John Mannix (35).
Sunday, Medley Single Stableford (63 players) – Stewart Clover (38 points), Jarvis Wellington (38), James Daniel (38).
