From Tony Durkin

FAMILY AFFAIR: The mother-and-son pairing of Kathy and Scott Walker has gone back-to-back to win Headland’s Annual Patron’s Day, but not until surviving another closely-fought affair. However, while their nett score of 67 in the American Foursomes event was just a shade improved on last year (67.8), their 79 gross was two better with a birdie, nine pars and just eight bogeys on their card from a combined handicap of 12. Last year Kathy was playing off 34 – on Saturday her handicap was 31. And she paid tribute to her talented son – handicap one – saying simply ‘Scott again played very well’. The Walkers narrowly beat Dominique Paice and Warren Selvage (67.87) to win Patron’s Day, sponsored by Simon Whittle, while Michael Morris and Scott Bromfield (64.75) prevailed in the Overflow, from Justin Nicholson and Fred Muller (67).

GEORDIE’S CAR: Back in 2005 Headland Golf Club conducted a fundraiser in the name of former employee, Tony Hunt, who tragically died two years earlier. Tony’s friends and Headland members raised $9,000, passed the money on to his widow Katrina with the express wish that it be used to buy his young son Geordie his first car. In the interim that donation has grown to more than $12,000 which was enough for Geordie, who turns 17 in October and starts Year 12 studies next year, to become the proud owner of a Honda Jazz, with just 10,000kms on the clock. In an email to the club Katrina described the donation as ‘an amazing blessing for our little family’ and wanted all past and current Headland members to know how much the gift, and their support, was appreciated.

SALT BECKONS: Salt, and even more salt – that could well be the rather bizarre reason Andrew Beck has become pain-free, and a winner. Andrew scored 43 points to win Tuesday’s Single Stableford event and immediately reflected on his first pain-free round in 18 months, as well as his new Mizuno driver purchased from the Pro Shop. Once a six-marker Andrew – a lawyer by profession – took a sabbatical from golf almost three years ago to tend to his ailing dad and did not return until 18 months ago. But when he did, he suffered from golfer’s elbow as well as golfer’s shoulder, and not until he increased his intake of salt three weeks ago did the pain start to abate. He reckons Tuesday’s round was his first, pain-free, since his return and a chief reason for the consistency of 11 pars, six bogeys and just one double.

MILES BETTER: Inspired from a recent win by his wife Jan, Stuart Miles played his best golf for at least two years to return the winning score in Wednesday’s Single Stableford event. Stuart, a retired banker who had 42 points to win C Grade on a countback and return the best score of the day, confessed afterwards that ‘no sand and no water’ certainly makes for improved golf, and a better score. He also confided that his putting on the day averaged less than two a hole, which helped garner him seven three-pointers and, just as importantly, no wipes. Stuart, a Headland member for almost two decades, has not won an event for more than two years and says when his wife Jan scored a winning 41 points two weeks ago, the family challenge was extended.

EAGLE UPDATE: Ryley Martin has done it again – his fourth two-eagle round in successive weeks. This time it was at Gailes Golf Club in Brisbane during a practise round on Wednesday for the Queensland Men’s Stroke Play this week (August 26-28), to be played at the western suburbs Brisbane club. Ryley, playing with local member Jacob Clarke, started his round in fine style by eagling the par-five second and the par-four fourth, before fading to finish two over par. He has now scored two eagles in a round at Mt Coolum, Headland (twice) and Gailes in successive weeks.

WHOOPS: Headland ground staff were startled to see a man diving in the dam on the 15th hole on Wednesday morning – until they realised it was member Steve Walters endeavouring to locate lost clubs. Steve was playing his third shot to the 16th from just below the bunker when his golf cart suddenly discovered a mind of its own, decided to take a swim, submerging itself in the murky water. Stripping down to his shirt and undies, Steve managed to salvage all but his four, five and eight irons, and his putter. Also in his new bag – won at the Regis Aged Care Seniors Eclectic two weeks earlier – was his phone which he says is now ‘cactus’. Last update was that insurance claims – and brakes – were being investigated.

WHOOPS II: Sunday’s wet weather has cost rookie golfer Will Millroy his first win since the Civil Engineer joined the club at Christmas. Will was one of nine hardy members to finish Sunday’s Single par event, but unfortunately for him 10 players are needed to constitute a competition. But while his excellent 84 off the bat – for a score of plus 8 – is not officially recognised, the junior tennis champion won’t forget his best-ever round at the club which did not have one minus score on his card. After suffering a knee injury, Will decided to retire his tennis racquet and take up golf because it was ‘more social and chilled’ – even on a wet Sunday.

WEEKLY WINNERS:

Tuesday, Single Stableford, Ladies (48 players) – Karen Norman (38 points), Doreen Davidson (37), Judy Norman (37); Men (76 players) – Andrew Beck (43), Bill Morton (40), Peter Elsworth (38).

Wednesday, Men, Single Stableford (202 players) – A Grade, Burgess Stephenson (40 points), Clifford Harper (38), Andy Whitmore (37); B Grade, Denis Brumby (39), Gavin Tuck (39), David O’Mahoney (38); C Grade, Stuart Miles (42), Richard Senior (42), Sergio Nogarotto (39).

Thursday, Ladies, Fourball Best Ball Stableford (84 players) – Helen O’Neil and Liz Dunford (49 points), Barb Marrington and Joy Bullock (48), Kathy Atkins and Monica Knowles (47), Rhonda Parry and Brenda Smith-Gittins (45). Men, Single Stableford (74 players) – Richard Senior (40 points), Robert Hayward (39), Mark Garcia (38).

Saturday, Patron’s Day, American Foursomes, Mixed (80 players) – Kathy and Scott Walker (67 nett), Dominique Paice and Warren Selvage (67.87), Rebecca and Scott Masters (68.5), Sandee and Ross Brimblecombe (71.75); Overflow (149) – Michael Morris and Scott Bromfield (64.75), Justin Nicholson and Fred Muller (67), Lawrence Hireme and Brian Callaghan (67.25), Mark Dolan and Tony Kelleher (67.5)

Sunday, Medley Single Par – abandoned because of inclement weather