From Tony Durkin
CHAMPION FIRES: Headland’s two-time Junior Champion, Sam Fichera, finally feels like a genuine A Grader following his first par round at the course on Wednesday. But it wasn’t his par-72 that convinced Sam of his status – it is his new, and lowest, GA handicap of 6.3. “I always thought that if I could get down to six, I could confidently compete against the A Grade players at the club,” reasoned the 14-year-old Sunshine Coast Grammar student who played off eight on Wednesday. Headland Junior Champion in 2023 and 2024, Sam smashed the front nine in two-under 34 for 24 points in the Medley Single Stableford event, before coming home in 20 points, with another birdie, a bogey and a double on his card. “I had only 24 putts, which obviously helped,” Sam revealed, disclosing he had moved back to his ‘old faithful’ TaylorMade blade putter. Sam has been heavily involved with golf during the school holidays, playing almost every day, then washing carts for the Pro Shop afterwards. Only PGA member Chris Massie (handicap one), returned a better gross score than Sam, who won A Grade with his 44 points. Barry Potter (45 points) won B Grade, beating Jeff Jones on a countback, while Peter Corney (41) was best in C Grade. NOTE: Playing from the yellow tees on Saturday, off a handicap of two, Sam scored 36 points despite missing his final two holes because of the late-morning electrical storm and the resultant torrential rain. And it was another day out for the youngster – two eagles (at holes 11 and 13), three birdies and the Pro Pin at the sixth hole, for an overall collect of $81.
LOU’S BEST: Twenty-one years to the day since she left Forbes to make the Sunshine Coast her home, Louise Harriott has broken 80 for the first time and returned her best score as a Headland member. And she did it in the presence of her husband Wayne and two close friends, visiting from their former hometown. “And Wayne and I beat them too,” beamed Louise after scoring 42 points in Tuesday’s Single Stableford for Women, returning the best score in the field by four points. An eight handicapper three years ago, Louise played from 12, penned 79 with three birdies, seven pars, seven bogeys and a ‘bunker-related’ double on her card. “Sometimes you play well, yet don’t score. But today I did both, except for my bunker issues at the par-five 13th,” she explained. “And I cannot believe I broke 80. I am thrilled.” The Harriotts, who own the Outdoor Elegance store at Kawana and have similar outlets on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane, have recently purchased a cane farm in North Queensland, and that has limited their golf outings at Headland. “I probably had half a dozen rounds last year, but this round just might get me back more often,” quipped Louise.
IT’S AUGUSTA: Provisional member Sam Schefe reckons his new home course is so challenging, he refers to it as ‘Augusta’ Headland. And that is why the Queensland Health Community Nurse Director is so ecstatic about his win on Tuesday, and his best-ever round. “I was formerly a member at Half Moon Bay in Cairns, and my best round there was 77. But it is par 70, and much easier than here, so my 80 off the bat on Tuesday is easily my best result,” he said, after scoring 41 points from his 13 handicap. Sam and his young family moved south 2½ years ago, bought a home adjacent to the fourth tee and 18 months ago he joined Headland. “I am still a provisional member, and because I work in Brisbane and it is difficult for me to get into the field with my current status, I have only played five comp games,” he said. “But I often sneak out for nine holes before or after work.” Sam’s impressive round of nine pars and seven bogeys was scarred by a double at the par-four sixth, but he made amends immediately, birdieing the par-five seventh.
GRASS BURNS: Chris Byrnes says one of the reasons he has become hooked on golf is because he loves the smell of grass. And on Monday, with Headland members back to competition golf for the first time in 2025, the grass burned under Chris, such was his scintillating round. With his best score since he joined Headland in 2014, Chris penned 44 points to blitz allcomers in the Vets’ Single Stableford opener. “I could hardly do a thing wrong,” quipped the early-morning Mooloolaba surf regular, whose card featured two four-point holes and eight three-pointers. Needing ‘something to do’ after selling his Bundilla Dry-Cleaning business in 2013 and retiring, Chris decided to take up golf, joined Headland and started on a handicap of 36. He has since reduced that to 22, although his current GA is 23.9 following shoulder replacement surgery last year. And while he loves grass, he did not let it grow under his feet during the three-week break in Headland competition over the festive season. “I played social golf at least three times a week, at Headland, Maroochy River and Beerwah,” he revealed. Chris won Division Two on Monday by a whopping eight points, Steve Rose (40) won Division One, while Carmel Visser and Wendy Mosley (both 36 points), were, respectively, the Women’s Division One and Two winners.
NO PRAYERS: Despite the correlation between his surname and the clergy, Mark Priest says he did not pray for Saturday’s electrical storm and the torrential rain that caused play in the Open Day Single Stableford event to be abandoned. In fact, had in not been for his playing partner Gary Savill, the retired Personal Trainer would have pulled up stumps after nine holes as the rain started tumbling down. “The other two guys in our group called it quits, but Gary reckoned that because I had such a good score going, we should continue,” he disclosed. And thankfully Mark agreed, with his 42 points winning the abridged version of Saturday’s 2025 Opening Day, which was officially abandoned early in the afternoon with just 140 players finishing their round. Mark, who has been a Headland member for a decade, recalls winning a Monthly Medal ‘a few years ago’ but can’t remember any other visits to the victory dais, and describes himself as ‘nothing flash as a golfer’. But now that he has retired, the avid Broncos fan is determined to improve his game with regular practise sessions. “I spent three hours down at the practise area this past week,” he admitted following his round of one four-point birdie, eight three pointers, five twos and four singles.
IN THE MOOD: Despite what he calls ‘an atrocious banana-bender slice’, Jayden Johnson-Moody has managed to win his second event as a 14-month Headland member. “I’m very shaky off the tee, but despite that I held things together pretty well,” quipped the Maroochy High teacher after winning Sunday’s Medley Single Stableford. “Thankfully, the slice only materialises with the driver, and the other clubs performed well today.” Jayden scored 42 points from his 22 handicap, with eight three-point returns on his winning card. “It’s my first solo win,” he divulged, recalling that he and Caloundra member Anthony Maher had won the Future Fund Day in February last year, each collecting a $250 Pro Shop voucher. He now has $70 to add to that following Sunday’s victory, although he does concede some of the initial cash has been whittled away replacing errant golf balls. While confessing that parts of his game do need correcting, Jayden suggested it would take a ‘genius’ coach to rectify his slice.
TRACTOR DRIVER: Headland members with tractor driving or front-end loader experience are in demand, wanted by the club’s Volunteer group. “In fact, we would like to hear from anyone who is interested in joining our group, particularly those with tractor driving or front-end loader operating skills,” said Vollies’ chief organiser, Rob Howard. The Vollies, who meet for two hours each Friday morning and provide valuable back-up to the ground staff with routine course enhancement, became particularly valuable during the recent bunker/course refurbishment program by laying more than two hectares (five acres) of turf. These efforts were recognised by the club with a recent ‘thank you’ dinner and drinks. “The Vollies were greatly appreciative of the club for the generous acknowledgement. But as a group, we gained great satisfaction from merely seeing the bare patches on the course covered in grass,” said Rob. While the Vollies number 18 in total, as retirees some are often away, hence the need for new members. Anyone interested should contact Rob on 0417767227. NOTE: Morning tea is provided, with a group of eight women alternating in providing sandwiches and cakes.
WEEKLY RESULTS:
Monday, Vets – Single Stableford, Women (41 players) – Division One, Carmel Visser (36 points), Narelle Hollowood (35), Valerie O’Brien (34); Division Two, Wendy Mosley (36), Helen Sedgman (32), Lynn Hayman (31).
Men (66 players) – Division One, Steve Rose (40), Warren Selvage (38), Peter Blackford (38); Division Two, Chris Byrnes (44), Steve Nash (36), John Visser (35).
Tuesday, Single Stableford, Women (34 players) – Louise Harriott (42 points), Trish Murphy (38), Lee Heseltine (36).
Men (84 players) – Sam Schefe (41 points), Liam Barnes (41), Stephen Woolcott (41).
Wednesday, Medley Single Stableford (227 players) – A Grade, Sam Fichera (44 points), Chris Klazema (40), Shane Muller (39); B Grade, Barry Potter (45), Jeff Jones (45), Stephen De Kock (40); C Grade, Peter Corney (41), Dave Whalley (40), Max Faulkner (40).
Thursday, Men, Single Stableford (play abandoned because of an electrical storm).
Saturday, Opening Day, Medley Single Stableford – sponsor, Dave Mansley, Mooneys Insurance Brokers (140 players) – Mark Priest (42 points), Dean Jones (39), Brian Callaghan (39).
Sunday, Medley Single Stableford (52 players) – Jayden Johnson-Moody (42 points), John Burnie (39), David Groom (39).
