From Tony Durkin
LISA LEADS: Fittingly, the lowest handicapped player in the field with the only double-bogey free card of the event, heads in to the final round of the 2024 Headland Women’s Championship in front, albeit with only a one-shot lead. Lisa Ramen (handicap 8.56), who has not contested the Championships since 2015, carded five pars and 13 bogeys in Saturday’s third round 83, which was equalled by Kate Wilkie and Josie Ryan who, respectively, sit one and two strokes behind heading in to Thursday’s final round. Lisa is a two-time Headland Women’s Champion, having won in 2006 and 2007, but says she will need to improve her ball striking to win again. “If I am totally honest, Kate deserves to be the Champion. She is playing beautifully, and I am certainly not,” she opined. “But no-one died from playing poor golf, so let’s just see what happens.” Although there were no doubles on her card, Lisa was irritated by her par-three form on Saturday. “Six-over on the par threes is never pretty golf,” she quipped. Lisa, who said she is not putting pressure on herself to win after seven years in the Championship wilderness, sits on 252 after 54 holes, followed by Kate Wilkie (253) and Josie Ryan (254), with defending Champion Sharon Thomas 12 shots back. Robyn Boreham (286) leads B Grade from Kirsten Kaergaard (289) and Mouna Humzy (292), while C Grade frontrunner is Ree Condon (324), from Wendy Burnie (337) and Ellen Bloxsome (343).
CRAZY DAY: Former Melbournian Brett Adamson, who joined Headland in 2019 after a decade at Beerwah, continued his occasional ‘crazy’ golf form with a win in Saturday’s Medley Single Stableford. The former chef, who is now employed by Advance Flight Theories at Sunshine Coast Airport, scored 42 points to win A Grade, despite a wipe on his card after an errant drive, and a lost ball. But that was a minor blimp on the card of the eight handicapper – he also penned three birdies, 11 pars and three bogeys. “I only hit six greens in regulation, but drove it well and had 23 putts, so it was a day out. I seem to have these crazy golf days about once a year,” he said. In February of 2021 Brett made his first big impression on Headland members when he scored 44 points to win A Grade, parring the course for the first time. Then, in July last year, he joined a rare group of Headland members to win both the gross and nett in the A Grade Monthly Medal, scoring 71 with three birdies, eight pars and seven bogeys on his card. John Cleary (41 points) won B Grade and Marty Briedis (41) headed the C Grade field.
SANDYS’ BEST: After finishing last in the A Grade field during the first round of the 2024 Women’s Championship, Sandy Whittle decided to hit the practise putting greens. “I knew I couldn’t out-drive most of the girls, but I reasoned that if I putted well, I might be a chance of climbing the ladder,” she admitted. And not only did she putt well, and improve her position in the field, her second-round 85 won her the April Monthly Medal – played in conjunction with the Championships – which was just her second in A Grade. “I felt I was in the zone, and really enjoyed the round,” quipped Sandy, who revealed that not only was her round her best in the Club Championships by nine shots, but her best-ever by three strokes as a 34-year Headland member. Despite penning a triple bogey and a double of her card, Sandy fought back by banking a birdie at the par-three 15th (14th on the original course), five pars and nine bogeys. The B Grade Club Champion in 2007, Sandy said she ‘scraped’ in to the A Grade Championship field for the first time since 2018 by recently lowering her GA handicap to 16.6. The wife of Headland Patron Simon, Sandy scored nett 67, while Kirsten Kaergaard (70) and Sue Keays (71) won the B and C Grade Medals, respectively.
BRETT’S THREE KEYS: Brett Stephenson won B Grade in Wednesday’s Medley Single Stableford by following the theory of Hank Haney, coach of golfing legend Tiger Woods. “Haney’s three keys for a good round are no penalties, no three putts and no two chips – getting down in three or less around the greens,” said Financial Adviser Brett, who scored 41 points on a wet course, with very little run. “I only hit six of 18 greens, but following Hank’s theory seemed to work for me.” A confessed ‘student’ of the sport, Brett – who these days lives at Glasshouse Mountain – said he practises whenever the opportunity presents itself. “On Monday I had a meeting in Buderim which finished early, so I went to Headland, hit balls on the range for two hours and then played half a dozen holes. And, it obviously helped,” he said. A ‘neat’ round of 76, with 11 pars and seven bogeys, is not Brett’s best, but still very respectable on a course that he reckons will be among the best on the Sunshine Coast when current redevelopment is completed. “I think it will be a fabulous course,” he opined. Gary Marr (also 41 points) won A Grade, and David Parker (37) won C Grade.
SAM FIRES: Headland’s most promising men’s junior golfer, Sam Fichera, on Tuesday shot his best round at the club despite not winning the event. Sam started on the back nine and fired a one-over 35, with eight pars and one bogey on his way to 37 points in the Single Stableford for Men. “But after a double bogey at the first after the turn, I lost my way and went downhill from there,” said Sam, who turned 14 a few weeks ago. Like many teenage boys, Sam has ‘shot up’ recently and three weeks ago had his clubs reshafted to men’s full length by Head Pro Adam Norlander. “I’m hitting the driver another 10 metres at least, and taking one less iron than previously,” a proud Sam revealed. Ironically playing in the same group as Headland veteran Kathy Atkins – who won the Women’s event on Tuesday with 32 points – Sam said he was encouraged throughout this round. “Kathy was great to play with, and she also won two nearest the pins,” quipped Sam, who won a pin shot himself, at the par three eighth hole. But his greatest thrill was parring the tough par-four 16th hole (the 15th on the original course) when he hit his second shot through the green, and then got up and down. The men’s event was won by Noosa visitor, Jackson Holland, with 40 points.
BYE BYE MITCH: Twelve months ago, Headland’s Assistant Pro, Mitch Jacobson, was in Adelaide for golf and – fortuitously – played two rounds with Graham Hobbs, one of the co-owners of retirement village development company, Living Choice. The pair gelled and, cheekily, Mitch informed Graham that if he had any jobs in the offing, he might be interested. “He called me recently with an offer, and it was just too good to refuse,” said Mitch, when he left Headland on Friday to take up his new ‘multi-faceted’ role at Flagstaff Hill Golf Club in the Adelaide Hills, which is owned by Living Choice. “I will facilitate the construction of the new clubhouse with mini golf, pickle ball, gym, pool and golf simulators, and will also be involved in the retirement living aspect.” As a PGA member, Mitch started work at Headland in 2006, working in the bar for 12 months before joining the Pro Shop staff as a teaching professional. In between, he had a two-year hiatus in Canada. He officially starts work today (Monday), but will not move to Flagstaff Hill until June. “It’s a little bitter sweet, because I will miss Headland, and the members. But I’m looking forward to the challenge, and the change,” he said.
PENNANTS: The 2024 Sunshine Coast and South Burnett District Women’s Pennant season teed off yesterday (Sunday) but, the competition is no longer called Pennants. The new name for the annual event is ICMP (Inter Club Match Play), and Headland teams have had a mixed start. Diamonds, the club’s No.1 Women’s team, was thrashed on Sunday, going down 4½ to 1½ to Beerwah, at Beerwah, in a performance captain Josie Ryan described as ‘one of the worst losses I can remember’. Annabel Harris carried over her outstanding form from Saturday’s third Championship round to win 6&4, while Sharon Thomas squared her match. But Josie lost 1-down, Julie Halliday went down 3&2, Kate Wilkie (6&4) and Pik Chong (6&4). No handicaps are utilised in Diamonds Division, with all matches played off the stick. However, the Emeralds had a better result, beating Maroochy River 4-2, at Caloundra. Captain Kirsten Kaergaard won 3&2, Narelle Hollowood (5&3) and Cathy Roberts (6&4), while Jodie McDonell and Jan Langdon squared their matches, and Di Gilmore was beaten 7&5. On Monday Headland’s Amethyst team beat Maroochy River 4-2, with Captain Jenny Ingham continuing her recent good form, winning 5&4. Marg Smith, however, was the shining light, thrashing her opponent 8&6, Gwen Nancarrow won 3&2 and Robyn Boreham squared her match, but Mouna Humzy (4&3) and Monica Antony (2&1) were beaten. Also on Monday, and also at Maroochy River, the Headland Pearls team lost some of its lustre with a 3½-2½ loss to Beerwah. Sue Bolton won convincingly, 7&6, as did Deb Bennetts (3&1), while Jenny Stokes halved her match. Ree Condon (3&1), Wendy Burnie (3&2) and Ellen Bloxsome (2&1) were beaten in close matches.
JUNIOR PENNANT: Headland’s No.1 Junior Pennant team started the 2024 season with a bang, beating Maroochy River (3) 2½-1½ at Headland on Sunday. Charlotte Ridley (12 handicap) started the ball rolling with a 4&3 victory, as did Matthew Bothma (11), while Rian Mitchell (21) squared his match and Dominic Manning (24) lost 4&3. However, the news was not as positive for the No.2 team, with the lowest handicapped player off 23, being beaten 4-0 by Caloundra. Noah Sargeant (23 handicap) lost 8&6 to a nine marker, Peter Hall (24) lost 1-down, Flynn Lambalk (26) was beaten 4&2 and David Groom (28) lost 4&3.
WEEKLY RESULTS:
Tuesday, Single Stableford – Women (34 players) – Kathy Atkins (32 points), Jill Nixey (32), Sue Harris (31).
Men (57 players) – Jackson Holland (40), Sam Fichera (37), Mark Beswick (37).
Wednesday, Medley Single Stableford – sponsor, Earl Hicks, Global Turf – (198 players) – A Grade, Gary Marr (41 points), Ty Pilcher (40), Lang Pryor (39); B Grade, Brett Stephenson (41), Mark Bown (39), Jeff Jones (36); C Grade, David Parker (37), Stu Ennever (36), James Reinke (36).
Thursday, Women, Monthly Medal, and Round Two of 2024 Club Championship – sponsor, Jodie McDonell, Century 21 on Duporth – (88 players) – Monthly Medal, A Grade, Sandy Whittle (67 nett), Pik Chong (70), Kate Wilkie (71), gross – Lisa Ramen (82); B Grade, Kirsten Kaergaard (70), Cathy Roberts (71), Lynn Deacon (74), gross, Kirsten Kaergaard (92); C Grade, Sue Keays (71), Ree Condon (75), Julie Lewis (76), gross – Sue Keays (102).
Round Two, 2024 Club Championship – A Grade, gross, Lisa Ramen (82), Josie Ryan (84), Kate Wilkie (85); nett, Sandy Whittle (67), Kate Wilkie (71), Lisa Ramen (73); B Grade, gross, Kirsten Kaergaard (92), Cathy Roberts (92), Robyn Boreham (94); nett, Kirsten Kaergaard (70), Cathy Roberts (71), Lynn Deacon (74); C Grade, gross, Ree Condon (105), Sue Condos (110), Wendy Burnie (112); nett, Ree Condon (75), Wendy Burnie (80), Sue Condos (80).
Men, Single Stableford (77 players) – Stuart Clover (36 points), Brad Reddan (36), Mark Garcia (35).
Saturday, Women’s 2024 Club Championship, Round Three – sponsor, Jodie McDonell, Century 21 on Duporth – (46 players) – A Grade, gross, Annabel Harris (81), Josie Ryan (83), Lisa Ramen (83), Kate Wilkie (83); nett, Jenny Ingham (68), Kate Wilkie (69), Annabel Harris (69). B Grade, gross, Gwen Nancarrow (91), Anne Callanan (93), Mouna Humzy (95); nett, Janelle Heaney (68), Gwen Nancarrow (69), Mouna Humzy (72). C Grade, gross, Ree Condon (104), Sue Condos (104), Kath Barford (108); nett, Ree Condon (73), Sue Condos (74), Kath Barford (79).
Standings after 54 holes (with the final 18 to be played on Thursday) – A Grade, gross, Lisa Ramen (252), Kate Wilkie (253), Josie Ryan (254); B Grade, Robyn Boreham (286), Kirsten Kaergaard (289), Mouna Humzy (292); C Grade, Ree Condon (324), Wendy Burnie (337), Ellen Bloxsome (343).
Medley Single Stableford – (201 players) – A Grade, Brett Adamson (42 points), Brett Stephenson (42), Ty Pilcher (38); B Grade, John Cleary (41), Tristan Scott (38), George Stoufis (38); C Grade, Marty Briedis (41), Jayden Johnson-Moody (38), Errol Greiner (37).
