From Tony Durkin
MIRROR GOLF: On Wednesday Dan Diachkoff not only shot his most memorable golf round, but his two magnificent nines were the mirror image of each other. The renderer/painter fired eight birdies – four each side – in his six under (three-under each side) round of 66, to score 42 points (21 each nine). And, in posting the best score in the Medley Single Stableford and winning A Grade by two points, Dan also carded eight pars (four each side) and two bogeys – yep, one on each nine. Playing from the white tees, and off a scratch handicap, the 2021 Fourball Match Play Champion (alongside good mate Geoff Bland) penned his lowest-ever round, five better than his previous best (71) as a decade-long Headland member. After an inauspicious start – a bogey at the first – Dan then shot four successive birdies, followed by six pars, then birdie, par, birdie. His second bogey came at the 16th and he then looked like derailing his brilliant round when his second at the 17th missed the green to the left, and finished in a shaggy lie adjacent to the cart path. But he dunked the miraculous chip, then canned a 1½-metre putt at the 18th to give him four birdies in his final seven holes, and a stunning victory. “That is the best round of golf I have played,” said Dan, who revealed he had just 24 putts – and again, it was 12 on each nine. “I have no idea where the round came from, because it was a very rushed morning. I worked for six hours, then voted, and arrived at the course just before my tee time, which was the last of the day.” Lance Milne won B Grade with 39 points while a visitor, Alexander Beaumont from Keperra Golf Club, scored 41 points to win C Grade. NOTE: Dan confessed he consumed four beers during his memorable round, and you guessed it – two on each nine.
LOU’S DOUBLE: After 21 years as a Headland member, Louise Harriott has saluted with her first Monthly Medal ‘double’. The co-owner of the Outdoor Elegance stores at Kawana, the Gold Coast and Brisbane with husband and fellow member Wayne, Louise returned the best gross and nett in Thursday’s Monthly Medal. “I’m really pleased,” said the 9.7 handicapper, who played off 12 from the women’s back tees, and scored her first Medal win since 2012. “Apart from two holes – a triple at nine and a double at 16 – I played well. I had 26 putts, and that helped put the icing on the cake.” Louise and Wayne moved from Forbes to the Sunshine Coast to establish their business in 2004, and have thoroughly enjoyed the Headland camaraderie. Her best round was 79 back in January this year, but she rated Thursday’s performance – 10-over 83 – ‘up there’. “The course played long, and tough, so I was pleased to get both the gross and nett,” she said. “But the big thrill was a message from Scotland, the home of golf.” Louise explained that fellow member, Karen Wilson, who is currently holidaying in Scotland, had texted her a congratulatory message even before she knew she had won. “Ours was the last group in, so Karen was obviously keeping tabs on the leaderboard from afar,” said a chuffed Louise. Libby Hall (76 nett) won the B Grade Medal, Ruth Broderick (83) won in C Grade, while Debbie Proud, with 29 points, won the associated Single Stableford event.
‘STUPID’ LINCOLN: He won his second event as a Headland member on Saturday, but Lincoln Harris was kicking himself for one shot he described as stupid. “I hit my drive on the sixth into the trees on the left and, trusting the well-worn theory that trees are 90 per cent air, tried the impossible shot,” lamented the Youi Insurance IT Specialist. Needless to say, Lincoln hit another tree, took a double and tarnished and otherwise great card. He scored 80 from his 14 handicap – his best-ever round – for 42 points, a win in B Grade and the best score in the Men’s Single Stableford field of 221. “I was hoping to break 80 for the first time, but that poor decision, and 32 putts, didn’t help,” he said. “But I played really well, and was rapt in my round.” Lincoln has been a Headland member for just two years following a long break from the game, and has already cut his GA handicap from 21 to 12.6. “Twelve was my original goal when I started back to golf, so maybe I need to believe I can go a little lower than that,” he said. His previous best round was 82 at Pacific Golf Club in Brisbane, where he played in his early 30s two decades ago, before children arrived. Shane Muller, playing off plus two, scored four birdies in his round of 69 for 37 points and a win in A Grade, Robert Chaplain (39) won C Grade and Narelle Hollowood won the Women’s Single Stableford, with 34 points.
SAM AGAIN: While he concedes he is ‘living the dream’ as Headland’s on-course drinks cart driver, Sam Henricks also admits to ‘learning a few things’. And one of those lessons has been to not look at his progressive score during a round. “I tend to get ahead of myself, and feel I have to do something spectacular if I’m not scoring well,” Sam revealed after penning 41 points to win Thursday’s Single Stableford for Men. “I didn’t check my score once today, and was stoked at the end.” Sam played at Headland as junior, gave the game away and then started again when he left school and started his gap year on the drinks cart at Headland two years ago. And in scoring his third victory in that time, Sam has reduced his GA handicap from 29.7 to 20.8, with a goal to be down to 18 by the end of the year. His Thursday card revealed one four-point hole, six threes, eight twos and three single pointers, but no wipes. And while his golf handicap goal is set in stone, Sam remains undecided about his working future. “I’m just loving what I’m doing at the moment, but starting Uni next year remains on the plan,” he said.
THANKS VICKI: When Headland husband-and wife members Neil and Vicki Oxley arranged a round of golf for Tuesday with ex-golf Professionals and current Headland Pro Shop employees, Mark McIntyre and Shane Muller, the only query was who would partner with whom. And Vicki, being the highest handicapper in the group, suggested she should partner the lowest marker, Shane, whose handicap from the white tees was scratch. “They are both great players, and showed that on the day. But Mark and I teamed well together,” quipped Neil, who said watching the two ‘guns’ was akin to being in the LIV Golf crowd at Adelaide. “These guys make it look so easy.” And Mark, with five birdies on his fourball card – for 29 Stableford points – was the standout performer on the day, although Shane contributed impressively too, with four birdies and 34 individual points. Neil and Mark won the Medley Fourball Stableford with 46 points, and Neil was happy to contribute his 17 points. ‘Both Vicki and I thoroughly enjoyed the round, and the company,” he said.
TOUGH TO WIN: It was not his lowest round, not his best score and not against a big field of golfers, but Brad Williams was just ‘pleased’ to win Sunday’s Medley Single Stableford. “I have found it very difficult to win at Headland,” said Brad, who scored 39 points from his round of 78, for his third victory as a five-year Headland member. A Project Manager for BHP who now works at the company’s Brisbane headquarters following an 18-month stint based at Kalgoorlie, where he plied his trade – both on an off the golf course. “Kalgoorlie is a different, but terrific course, and while I was there, I reduced my GA handicap from 17 to 10,” he revealed. “Since I have been back, I have only been able to play on weekends, but have generally played okay. But it’s tough to win here.” His Sunday round featured two birdies, nine pars, six bogeys and a double at 15, and he certainly had to play well to win. Junior Keaton Fox scored 37 points from his 15 handicap, while Club Champion Ben Duncombe, playing off plus two, fired six birdies in his round of 69, for 37 points. NOTE: the Graham Marsh-designed Kalgoorlie layout is currently ranked No.18 among Australia’s top 100 public access golf courses.
DISTRICT CHAMPS: Headland members Nick Cox and John Halbert have made the victory dais at the 2025 Sunshine Coast Veterans District Championships, played at Headland on Monday. Representing 10 district clubs, 120 players teed off in the event which was contested in three divisions, and in both Stroke and Stableford competitions. Noosa Golf Club member Richard Remy (handicap four) won the overall gross championship with nine-over 81 in the heavy conditions, while Nick Cox (73 nett) saluted in the Division One handicap event and John Halbert (35 points) won the 18-hole Stableford, in Division Two. Another visitor, Greg Holmes from Gympie, won Division Three Stableford with 33 points on a day of low scores. Players from Noosa, Gympie, Caloundra, Maroochy River, Nambour, Peregian, Mt Coolum, Cooroy and Tin Cay golf clubs joined their Headland hosts for the annual event.
COUNTRY WEEK: A dozen Headland members contested the Queensland Women’s Country Week Championships on the Gold Coast during the past week, and while there were no outstanding results, camaraderie was declared the winner. Events were played at both Surfers Paradise or Southport golf clubs, with Foursomes played on Monday, while Stroke for Division One players and Stableford for Divisions Two and Three were contested on Tuesday and Wednesday, days two and three, again on both courses. In the best result for Headland in the big field of 164, Josie Ryan and Annabel Harris finished fourth in the Foursomes gross event. Kirsten Kaergaard was placed third in Division Two Single Stableford on Tuesday at Southport, while Rebecca Masters was third in Division Three, also on Tuesday, but on the Surfers Paradise course. Headland members attending were Narelle Hollowood, Kirsten Kaergaard, Josie Ryan, Vicky Sheridan, Annabelle Harris, Cathy Roberts, Robyn Boreham, Gail Young, Di Stark, Di Gilmour, Rebecca Masters and Ali Lamond.
JUNIOR PENNANT: Headland (2) Juniors have scored a massive win, beating last year’s premiers Noosa, at Noosa, 3-1 on Sunday, in Division Two. Max Faulkner was magnificent, coming back from three down with four holes to win his match 1-up, while Finn Darlison won 4&3, Matthew Bothma 2&1, with Dom Manning being edged out 2&1. Also in Division Two, Headland (1) scored a victory over the strong Maroochy River, winning 2½-1½, also at Noosa. Headland’s reigning Junior Champion, Sam Fichera, won his match 4&3, David Groom prevailed 3&2, Mitch McFarland, playing his first Pennant match, won at the 18th to square his match, but Seth Riley was beaten 3&2. Despite Lewis Mathewson scoring the largest Headland win of the weekend – a 6&4 smashing – the Division Three team was beaten 3-1 by Beerwah. Peter Hall (2-down), Noah Sergeant (4&3) and Blake Rydwanski (5&3) lost their matches. In round three, to be played on Sunday, May 18, Headland (1) plays Gunabul, Headland (Division Three) plays Noosa, and Headland (2) has the bye.
WEEKLY RESULTS:
Monday, Vets, Sunshine Coast District Championships – sponsor, Perry and Oster Funerals – Division One (44 players) – nett, Nick Cox (73), Alan Steadman (74), Tim Marrinan (75); gross, Richard Remy (81), Rohan Keogh (82).
Stableford (76 players), Division Two – John Halbert (35 points), Marg Smith (33), Chris Ricketts (33); Division Three, Greg Holmes (33), Ken Smith (32), Peter Palmer (29).
Tuesday, Medley Fourball Best Ball Stableford (105 players) – Neil Oxley and Mark McIntyre (46 points), Steve Furness and John Prosser (45), Peter Dickens and Lyn Keogh (44).
Wednesday, Medley Single Stableford – sponsor, Lachlan and John Moffatt, Moffatt Family Pharmacies – (221 players) – A Grade, Dan Diachkoff (42 points), Chris Risby (40), Andy Whitmore (39); B Grade, Lance Milne (39), Jonny Clarke (38), Anthony Larchin (37); C Grade, Alexander Beaumont (41), Jack Williams (37), John Alsbury (37).
Thursday, Women, Monthly Medal – sponsor, Jodie McDonell, Century 21 on Duporth – (52 players) – A Grade, Louise Harriott (71 nett), Sharon Thomas (74), Lisa Ramen (78), gross – Louise Harriott (83); B Grade, Libby Hall (76), Rebecca Masters (78), Helen Venter (78), gross, Helen Venter (100); C Grade, Ruth Broderick (76), Debbie Bennetts (79), Odette Day (81), gross, Debbie Bennetts (109).
Men, Single Stableford (84 players) – Sam Henricks (41 points), Mark Dolan (39), Dean Simmons (37).
Saturday, Single Stableford, Women (22) – Narelle Hollowood (34 points), Kirsten Kaergaard (32), Helen Fraser (39).
Men (221 players) – A Grade, Shane Muller (37 points), Scott Bromfield (36), Brenton Liaropoulos (36); B Grade, Lincoln Harris (41), George Stoufis (42), Stephen Blampied (37); C Grade, Robert Chaplain (39), Mark Johnson 938), Fred Muller (37).
Juniors, Nine-hole Stroke – Dom Manning (33 nett), Matthew Bothma (34), Ziggy Williams (38), Noah Sergeant (46).
Sunday, Medley Single Stableford (30 players) – Brad Williams (39 points), Keaton Fox (37), Ben Duncombe (37).
Long Lunch, Medley Single Stableford (34 players) – Lachlan Jacobson (37 points), Jim Aspinwall (36), Chris Pace (34); Teams – Ryan Southwell, Jay Gourlay, Trevor Gourlay and Scott Bromfield (87 points).
