From Tony Durkin
HOLE-IN-HOPE: Not that he is standing on his dig, but 17-year Headland member Greg O’Connor hopes his hole-one in Thursday’s abandoned Single Stableford competition is at least ‘unofficially’ recognised by the powers-that-be. Greg aced the par-three fifth with, appropriately, a five-hybrid club, just as the siren blew to warn of an approaching storm. At the time he had accumulated 16 points from his five holes and was keen to continue, but ultimately the competition was cancelled. While the feat – technically – was not achieved in a competition round, the former Canberra public servant won’t forget the sight of the ‘straightest ball I have ever hit’ landing on the green and disappearing into the hole. And, it is not Greg’s first – he aced the eighth three years ago.
Greg O’Connor – Hole in One
JACKPOT DUCK: Prizemoney in Headland’s monthly Wood Duck Challenge – to be played this coming Sunday (October 21) – has jackpotted for the third successive month and will be worth a minimum of $900. The jackpot, plus a percentage of competition fees, will be shared only between those who break their handicap in the 18-hole single stroke event, which will be played from the championship tees. Sponsored by EKO Financial (James Kidd) and Mod Bathrooms (Chris Klazema), the usual capacity Sunday-competition field of 64 can be extended should numbers dictate. NOTE: This will be the final Wood Duck Challenge for 2018.
TIGER POWER: Because of green renovations Wednesday’s field at Headland for the rarely-played Tiger Fourball Stableford event was much smaller than usual. But winners Graham Miller and Ian Russell, with an outstanding score of 95 points, would probably have won irrespective of the number of competitors. Simply explained, the Tiger Fourball is played with a partner, and individual stableford scores are multiplied on each hole. For instance, on the first hole on Wednesday Ian and Graham scored three and two points respectively, giving them a total of six. But that wasn’t their best hole – far from it. They had two eight-point holes, a nine-point hole and – wait for it – a 12-point hole on the 14th when, with a stroke each, Graham birdied (four points) and Ian parred (three points). But, the story gets even better because the 30-year Headland members, and long-term mates, did not actually play together. Graham (44 points) was in a three-ball in the morning without a partner, as was Ian (37 points) in the afternoon. Incredibly, they were matched together by the computer.
WATT’S THE BIG DEAL: After a host of firsts playing with three clubs plus a putter on Thursday, Katrina Watts is starting to ask why she needs 15 clubs in her bag. Katrina, a graduate of the 2016 Headland SWING program, scored 39 points for her initial win in her best-ever round, and broke through the 100-barrier for the first time. Her three clubs were a five-wood – which she used as a driver and reckons she hit it almost as far – a seven iron and a sand wedge. Katrina, playing 18-hole competition golf only this year, has suddenly struck top form – the previous week she was beaten on a countback for the C Grade Monthly Medal, and on successive Thursdays has birdied the par-three eighth. Her secret – playing her own game and enjoying the company of her fellow players as much as her golf.
KEEPING PACE: Headland member Chris Pace believes in the age-old adage ‘never miss an opportunity’, so on his recent visit to Scotland with a group of former Maroochydore cricketers he went to extremes to play the Old Course at St Andrews. Having twice missed a place in the daily ballot, Chris and a mate arrived at midnight the evening before on the off chance someone in the field the next day may not show up – an occurrence which frequently transpires. But already waiting were six other hopefuls, and by 7am the number in the line had swelled to 40. However, the wait in the cold on a Scottish September night – under the stars and four layers of clothing – was worth it because they scored a game, teeing off at 9am. The group, which included fellow Headland members Paul and Mark Henricks, Bryan Haggarty and Jim Aspinwall, played nine games of golf on the two-week tour which was their 15th annual trip away.
Chris Pace (right) rugged up at St Andrews
GREEN AND GOLD: Until three years ago globetrotting Headland great Josie Ryan, who has won the Headland championships a record 16 times, had never had the opportunity to wear the green and gold of her country. But, after representing the Golf Australia Senior Team against the Australian Defence Forces back then, Josie will later this month wear those colours again when she represents Australia in the Senior Women’s team, against New Zealand in a first-ever international Trans-Tasman Cup at Adelaide’s Glenelg Golf Club from October 28-30. The competition, between six ladies on each team, will be played under Ryder Cup format with the players contesting foursomes, fourball and singles match play. Josie’s fellow Headland members made a special presentation to their champion after golf on Thursday.
Josie Ryan (right) receiving congratulatory voucher.
PINK AND BLUE: Support for the annual Cindy McKenzie Charity Breast Cancer Day on Thursday week, October 25, has been outstanding with a capacity field already nominated for the 8am shotgun start. In conjunction, an afternoon event for men will follow, but the numbers from male member of the club are far less impressive with a host of spots in the field still available. Both the ladies and men will play a four-person Scrambled Ambrose event, with proceeds going to the Cindy McKenzie Breast Cancer Program and Sunshine Coast Prostate Support Group, respectively. Players are urged to dress in appropriate colours – pink for the ladies and blue for the men – and generously support the raffles and sale of goods from the ‘home-made’ table. Sponsors for the day are JUGS (Just Us Girls) and SCIPS (Sunshine Coast Intellectual P…pots).
MEMBER’S FORUM: As previously advised in club communications the first of a planned series of Member’s Forums to discuss best possible use of club freehold land will be held in the clubhouse on Tuesday evening (October 16). A delegation consisting of Headland Golf Club Management and consultants met with Departmental Heads from Sunshine Coast Regional Council last week in a discussion to debate viable options for the best use of this land. The format of the Member’s Forum will be a short presentation by the Board on where the situation currently stands, and where the Board believes the club could/should be heading, and members will be encouraged to ask questions. Members planning to attend the Forum are asked to advise Megan Thorp on megan@headlandgolfclub.com.au or (07) 5444 5800.
RULES FOR SENIORS: This is the second-last edition of our tongue-in-cheek version of (non) rules applying only to senior golfers. These rules, of course, will NOT be coming into effect with other changes from January, but are published simply for a laugh. Rule 5: If a putt passes over a hole without dropping, it is deemed to have dropped. The Laws of Gravity supercede the Rules of Golf. Rule 6: The out of bounds penalty should not exist. If golf clubs had purchased sufficient land, boundary fences close to the course would be unnecessary. In instances where a ball disappears over a boundary fence, senior golfers deserve an apology, not a penalty.
WEEKLY WINNERS:
Tuesday, Medley Fourball Best Ball Stableford (62 players) – Alexander Walker and Bob Trevor (41 points), Leanne and Henryk Ptak (39), Helen Mulholland and Rhonda Biggs (39).
Wednesday, Men, Tiger Fourball (106 players) – Graham Miller and Ian Russell (95 points), Burgess Stephenson and Don Follent (88), Scott Masters and Bob Ingham (84), Paul Burnett and Mal Bradshaw (84).
Thursday, Ladies, Single Stableford with three clubs plus putter (61 players) – A Grade, Gay David (33 points), Marg Smith (32), Wil Sprake (32); B Grade, Katrina Watts (39), Tove Larsen (34), Ali Lamond (33); C Grade, Kym Mason (37), Trish Murphy (33), Helen Martyn (33). Men, Fourball Best Stableford (abandoned because of inclement weather).
Saturday, Medley Fourball Best Ball Stableford (abandoned because of inclement weather).
Sunday, Medley Beat the House Director Stableford (abandoned because of inclement weather).
