From Tony Durkin
STEADY SCOBIE: With regular playing partner and event sponsor Dave Mayes paying his way, Headland Vice-President Ian Scobie on Saturday turned in one of the more consistent rounds of his seven-year-Headland career. Ian scored 40 points in Saturday’s Single Stableford for Men to win B Grade, beating A Grade winner Damian Moelands and runner-up Chris Weier on a countback, with his card reflecting his steady round. “No wind and no rain, and having a few putts fall, was timely. The rain during the past week softened the fairways and greens, so it was a satisfying day,” said Ian, who still had to stump up for the Lotto ticket after he and fellow Board member, Finance Director Rob Cunningham, were beaten by sponsor Dave Mayes, of U-Blinds Australia, and recent 2013 Saturday Gold Medal winner, George Stoufis. Daniel Brooks (39 points) won C Grade and Lisa Ramen (35) won the Women’s event, while Will Millroy and Nick Reed (49 points) won the Medley Fourball.
JULIE’S BEST: Julie Welsh has been a Headland member for eight years, and until her 41 Stableford points in Thursday’s Single Stableford event, she had never ‘topped’ the field in an event. “There were 114 players and four grades, so I was very excited about turning in my best score ever,” said Julie, who started playing golf in Fiji but never took the game seriously until she joined Headland in 2015. Julie’s 41 points – seven pars, five bogeys and six doubles – gave her 87 gross, also her best round. “As the saying goes, some days are diamonds, some days are stone, and for me the diamonds sparkled today,” Julie beamed. Wil Sprake (38 points), won A Grade, Julie won B Grade, Trish Marden (39) led in the C Grade field and Barbara Parkinson (37) saluted in D Grade.
BACK-NINE BRUCE: Despite some ‘dumb stuff’ at holes eight and nine which resulted in wipes, Bruce Heseltine walked off the 18th green at Headland on Sunday a winner, and celebrating his best-ever back nine in eight years as a member. The recently-retired Communications Engineer scored a dismal 14 points on the first nine, but managed to put those wipes to the back of his mind as he birdied hole 10A. “Then, things started to fall into place, and I went on a ridiculous scoring spree,” he revealed, adding 25 points to his tally for a winning score of 39 in the Medley Single Stableford. His fabulous nine read – in points – 4,3,3,3,3,2,2,2,3. It was the second win of the year for the 17-marker, although he did snare the Pro Pin at the 12th on Wednesday, giving him a $112.50 bonus for two rounds of golf. But there was a sad tinge to the victory. His good mate and regular playing partner, Greg Patrick, had his last round at Headland on Sunday before returning to Shell Harbour, for family reasons.
BE WARNED: He played alongside good mate and headline-grabber John Jamieson in a winning Ambrose team the previous week, yet his effort was ignored by HH. But retired business owner Graeme Warne made sure he gained his time in the spotlight when he shot 77 from his 12 handicap to score 40 points and win Tuesday’s Single Stableford for Men. “The course is tough at the moment, so it was pleasing to play four under my handicap. It helped that I putted well, as I did in the Ambrose the previous week, which I reckon got us home,” he cheekily quipped. But did not putt so well when he played to his handicap in Wednesday’s Single Par event, for his third encouraging result in succession. Graeme, who has been a Headland member since 1998, had a tap-in birdie, nine pars, five bogeys and two doubles on his card in Tuesday’s win. Vicky Oxley (35 points) won the Women’s event.
PLUS FOR GUS: Winning Wednesday’s Medley Single Stableford, and collecting $95 in prizemoney, was special for Gus Ferguson, but taking $20 from each of his four regular playing partners was more satisfying. Radiologist Gus conceded it was ‘quite some time’ since his last win, but plus four on Wednesday following plus two the previous Saturday, has given the 20 handicapper some renewed confidence – so much so that he has ordered a new set of Pings from Head Pro Adam Norlander. “I’ve had a few good rounds recently, so I thought it was time for an upgrade,” said Gus, who hasn’t played much golf of late. He penned seven plusses, eight squares and just three minuses on his card to win C Grade, while Club Patron Simon Whittle (plus 2) won A Grade and Mick Rose (+2) won B Grade.
BACON HOME: The adage, bringing home the bacon, came to fruition for Brad Bacon on Thursday when he won his first event as a 2½ year Headland member, and collected $110 in prizemoney. But not only was it Brad’s first victory, but his 80 off the bat is his best round, beating his previous low by four strokes. The head coach and owner of CrossFit Mooloolaba scored 40 points to finish in front of 81 others in the Men’s Single Stableford, with 10 pars on his card, seven of which earned him three points. Having moved to the Sunshine Coast from Dubbo, Brad played only social golf before joining Headland and because of work and family commitments – notably a two-year-old daughter named Aria – he usually only plays one competition round a week. NOTE: As well as his victory, Brad also snared the NTP at the eighth hole, completing a memorable day.
RIP ZELDA JOSEPH: Long-standing member, Zelda Joseph, has passed away, aged 80. Zelda was a valued member of the club for two decades, resigning her golf membership in 2020. She was a shining light at the club, known for her kindness, caring nature, vibrant spirit and love for golf, and will be greatly missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing her. He husband, John, is a past President of Headland. A funeral service will be held at Gregson and Weight Chapel, 159 Wises Road Buderim, on Wednesday (November 29), at 10.30am.
Monday, Vets, Single Stableford (event cancelled because of rain, and course condition).
Tuesday, Single Stableford, Women (34 players) – Vicki Oxley (35 points), Annabel Harris (35), Kathy Petrie (33).
Men (52 players) – Graeme Warne (40), Mal Galletly (39), Colin Cross (36).
Wednesday, Medley Single Par (228 players) – A Grade, Simon Whittle (plus 2), Chris Risby (+2), Quentin Poulsen (+2); B Grade, Mick Rose (+2), Michael Phillips (+2), Graham Kershaw (+2); C Grade, Gus Ferguson (+4), Graham Cartledge (+4), John Waterworth (+2). Fourball Best Ball Par – Graham New and Spencer Ives (plus 10).
Thursday, Single Stableford Women – sponsor, Narelle Hollowood, Skirtsports – (114 players) – A Grade, Wil Sprake (38 points), Fiona Munro (37), Rebecca Masters (36); B Grade, Julie Welsh (41), Rhonda Biggs (40), Vicky Maynard (38); C Grade, Trish Marsden (39), Janette Ritchie (37), Chrissy Eggins (35); D Grade, Barbara Parkinson (37), Susan Stratford (35), Margaret Moran (35).
Men (82 players) – Brad Bacon (40 points), Patrick Carmody (38), Graeme Denovan (38).
Saturday, Single Stableford – sponsor, Dave Mayes, U-Blinds Australia – Women (28 players) – Lisa Ramen (35 points), Monic Knowles (35), Leeanne Ptak (35).
Men (218 players) – A Grade, Damian Moelands (40), Chris Weier (40), Glenn Kelly (38); B Grade, Ian Scobie (40), Kevin McDougal (38), Ted Banaszczyk (38); C Grade, Daniel Brooks (39), Adam Montgomery (39), Robert Chaplin (38). Medley Fourball Best Ball Stableford – Will Millroy and Nic Reed (49 points).
Juniors, Parent and Child, nine-hole stroke – Liam and Aaron Kerley (green line, 31), Max and Leon Faulkner (green, 34), Benjamin and Stephen Cox (green, 34), Dylan and Kay Manning (pink, 34).
Sunday, Medley Single Stableford (41 players) – Bruce Heseltine (39 points), Morgan Winston (39), Andrew Waugh (37).
