From Tony Durkin
GOLDEN COUPLE: 2017 has not been a happy year for popular Headland couple Richard and Del Whittaker, but a win on the golf course put a smile on their faces during the past week. They opened the annual Veteran’s Living Choice Classic last Sunday with a victory in the Medley 4BBB Stableford, scoring 46 points and taking home a TaylorMade golf bag each – on a countback. In fact it was a day out for married couples with Terrence and Liane Needham, Allen and Florence Alderton and John and Anne Alsbury also sharing in the spoils. Richard and Del, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary back in March, lost their 46-year-old son Gavin, a former NRL player with the Bulldogs and Gold Coast Chargers, in January. And Richard, a Vietnam veteran, has also suffered some serious health issues during the year. But this past week, smiles have been trumps.
ROUND OF THE WEEK: Peter Richardson did not hold an official AGU handicap until he joined Headland two years ago, but the next time he plays it will be off 6.6 following his first-ever par round on Saturday to win the single stableford event with a superb 44 points. Two birdies and an eagle to supplement his four bogeys were precious, but the tee shot on 18, which finished 64 centimetres from the pin and resulted in the NTP and a two, was the clincher for the dream round. The back nine started perfectly with an eagle from the bunker on 10, but included bogeys on 15 and 17 which had the 49-year-old thinking he had blown his chance of an even-par 72. Peter, who has relatives Brendan (uncle), Carolyn (aunt), Simon (cousin), Jack (cousin) and Henry (son) as fellow members, was B grade champion last year after starting his term at Headland in 2015 on a 15 handicap.
KATE’S FIFTH: Kate Wilkie reckons that her superbly struck three wood on the fourth hole on Saturday would have more than likely finished off the back of the green had it not struck the pin. But it did strike the pin, and didn’t finish off the green. Instead the ball dropped in the hole for an eagle, the first by a lady member since Sharon Thomas recorded a two on the hole back in 2014 when, ironically, Kate was playing in the same four. For Kate, who represented Headland’s lady members in the Road to the PGA event at Royal Pines yesterday (Sunday), the eagle was the fifth in her golfing life, and still a giant thrill. And to achieve the feat in the company of 14-time club champion Josie Ryan and men’s weekend winner Peter Richardson, added to the excitement.
CANE TOAD CURSE: Club member John Hammond is the white knight and catalyst behind the planned eradication of cane toads from the golf course, but he does have an ulterior motive. Nicknamed Ironhead from his days with the Manly Sea Eagles, Hammond may have lived in Queensland since the 90s but still cannot come to terms with the recent domination of the Cane Toads over the Cockroaches in State of Origin. Headland recently became an affiliate of the Cane Toad Challenge through the University of Queensland, with the aim to trap cane toad tadpoles. In the first two trapping sessions more than 5000 tadpoles were captured which – if half were females – means a potential production of 75 billion has been eradicated. Big John reckons, however, the Blues can’t beat the Maroons until the current crop of superstars has been eradicated through retirement.
JUNIOR SIGN-ON: A sign-on day for potential Headland juniors will be held next Friday week, December 8. But it’s a sign-on day with a difference. Club professional Adam Norlander and his staff will hold an activities session for the youngsters including lessons in driving, chipping, pitching and putting – and, if needed – all equipment will be provided. The aim of the clinic is to showcase the Headland junior program, Headland’s excellent facilities and the overall benefits of joining Headland Golf Club. As well, a sausage sizzle and drink will be provided for all kids who attend – all free of charge. For those juniors interested in joining the club, the cost of a junior membership is $99, which includes a free lesson with a professional as well as a Headland-branded pack which comprises a shirt, cap, water bottle and drawstring backpack, each sporting the Headland logo. The sign-on day/clinic will be held between 5pm and 7pm.
WEEKLY WINNERS:
Monday, Veteran’s Living Choice Classic, Single Stableford, Men (87 players): A grade – Huki Matenga (41), Haenga Pirini (38), Mark Garcia (37); B grade – John Zuscak (38), David Parker (37), Ken Maynard (36); C grade – Keith Officer (39), Len Dawson (37), Mike Eggleton (37); Ladies (69 players): A grade – Marg Smith (36), Pam Vincent (34), Gwen Nancarrow (33); B grade – Vicki Maynard (35), Maria Hireme (34), Pam Andrews (34); C grade – Jane Boaler (34), Jackie Thinee (34), Chrissy Eggins (33).
Tuesday, Veteran’s Living Choice Classic, Single Stableford, Men (88 players): A grade – Huki Matenga (39), Brian Richards (38), Merv Lum (36); B grade – Ken Maynard (39), Bruce Horton (37), Jock McLaughlin (36); C grade – Kevin Smith (39), Len Dawson (35), Martin Phillip (34); Ladies (68 players): A grade – Vicki Burchmore (37), Lynn Strutt (36), Marg Smith (34); B grade – Anne Alsbury (37), Liane Needham (37), Maria Hireme (37); C grade – Thelma Allen (36), Maggie Fitzpatrick (35), Robyn Underwood (34). Eclectic winners – Ken Maynard (44) and Thelma Allen (44).
Wednesday, Men’s 4BBB Stableford (89 players) – Geoff Montgomery and Wayne Cassidy (46), Lawrence Hireme and Paul Stephens (41), Peter Gablonski and Dale Ward (40) – competition was abandoned because of inclement weather.
Thursday, Ladies Scrambled Ambrose (89 players) Captain’s team – Liz Dunford, Naomi Doyle, Monic Knowles, Christina Claxton (67 nett), Shelagh Meadows, Margaret Howard, Julie Welsh, Mary Gibberd (67.8 nett); Vice-President’s team – Coralie Walsh, Kate Wilkie, Gayle Macready, Sue Keays (67.75), Tove Larsen, Susan Stratford, Anne Hayward, Maria Hireme (67.75 nett). Men, Single Par (71 players) – Brad Leslie (plus 7), Gavin Tuck (plus 6), Barry Schick (plus 6). Overall team winner – Captain.
Saturday, Single Stableford, Men (217 players): A grade – Peter Richardson (44 points), Gregory McDonald (41), Gavin Tuck (40); B grade – Graham Meyers (41), Brett Hardner (40), Brett Stephenson (39); C grade – Stephen Woolcott (39), Ian Flegler (39), Gary Dillon (39). Ladies (34 players) – Kathy Atkins (38), Sharon Purnell (37), Kate Wilkie (34).
Sunday, Medley Single Stableford (24 players): Barb Marrington (41), David Wickham (40), Darryl Kong (40).
