From Tony Durkin
HAPPY KEN: It has been at least three years since 32-year member Ken Wedmaeir has won an event at Headland, but even Saturday’s victory in the Medley Canadian Foursomes could not replace the thrill of meeting his only grandchild next month. Ken, who is the dad of former Club Champion Ben Wedmaier, teamed with Tony Pattinson to notch nett 68.875 and score a two-shot win in Saturday’s event, sponsored by Earl Hicks of Global Turf. “For various reasons – work, weather and family matters – I have not played much golf recently. But to win for the first time after about three years was really enjoyable,” said Ken, who, with wife Tracey, will meet grandson George for the first time when they head to England next month. “Ben has been in England for 2½ years, married an English girl and they had George, who will have his first birthday when we are over there,” revealed an emotional Ken, who conceded Ben was a ‘very special’ member of the family. In sharing their on-course fortunes on Saturday, Ken and Tony had two birdies, nine pars, five bogeys and two double bogeys on their card, which revealed a gross score of 79.
TRISH AGAIN: She has been a Headland member since graduating from SWING in 2016, but Trish Arden concedes that until this year she has been somewhat a part-time golfer, commuting between her Air B’n’B business in Mace Drive and the family cattle property at Augathella. And deciding to become more serious, and playing more often, has paid dividends, with Trish on Thursday winning her second event for the year and returning her best-ever score. With injured Gold Coast golfer and good friend Susie Hynes – also a SWING graduate – her caddie, Trish scored 40 points in the Single Stableford event to post the best score of the day and win C Grade. She also scored her first-ever birdie – a two of five at the par-three fifth – and penned five three-pointers and 10 twos of her card. “I was very happy with my round, and very excited. And to add to the thrill, standing on the tee at the fifth I actually predicted the birdie,” Trish revealed. Rebecca Masters (39 points) won A Grade and Kath Barford (36) won B Grade.
THANKS DAD: Derrick Bogaart had not won at Headland since he moved from Pelican Waters three years ago, so Sunday’s victory in the Medley Single Stableford event was ‘pretty special’. And when asked from where he thought the sudden form surge had come, Derrick said he felt his late dad, Theo, who passed 12 months ago almost to the day, was ‘smiling down on me’. “Dad was also an avid golfer, and I could sense his presence out there on the course,” claimed the painter, who moved north from Canberra two decades ago. But facetiously, he reckons his dad may have looked away when he hit his tee shot at the par-five 13th out of bounds, and a wipe resulted. But, his ‘presence’ obviously returned for successive birdies at finishing holes 17 and 18. Playing off 14, Derrick scored 41 points with his wipe and two birdies accompanied by seven pars and seven bogeys.
GRADE ‘A’ RESULT: Four A Grade golfers fully tested the countback system at Headland on Thursday, each finishing with 37 points in the Men’s Single Stableford competition. But it was Nigel Morrison, handicap eight, who prevailed with 19 points on the back nine after finishing with six pars from his final seven holes. Matt Folker, also with an eight handicap, Josh Poole (12) and Barry Newton (5), likewise finished with 37 points but Matt and Josh had 18 points on the back nine, and Barry 17. Apart from a wipe at the par-three fifth when he missed the green and three putted, Nigel was a model of consistency with a birdie, 10 pars and six bogeys on his card. He regularly plays only on Tuesdays and Thursdays and with steady golf his goal, Nigel was disappointed when his handicap recently drifted out to 10. But his second score of 37 this month – he finished second on June 7 – had him playing from 8.7 during Thursday’s winning round.
NINE THREES: Despite two double bogeys in his round – one on the fourth following a lost ball – retired GP David Richards still managed 43 points, and a win, in Wednesday’s Medley Single Stableford. And that outstanding score, from a gross score of 77 by the 12 handicapper, came courtesy of nine three-point holes. It is David’s second round in the 70s at Headland this year – his first a 76 in February for 43 points – and on that day he scored six-three-pointers. His Wednesday round was somewhat chequered, with his two doubles (at holes four and 13) being complemented by four bogeys, nine pars and three birdies, the highlight of which was a four-pointer at the par-four 17th. A member of both Mt Coolum and Headland, David’s best round at Headland has been a one-over 73 when he was playing from a handicap of seven. David won A Grade on Wednesday, Bruce Heseltine (40) won B Grade and Rick Popik (36) ended a long run of outs with victory in C Grade.
OPEN CHANGE: Players will have the choice of playing either a stroke or stableford event when they contest Headland’s 2022 Women’s Open Day on Monday, July 25. Sponsored by Jodie McDonell from Century 21 on Duporth, the event will have a shotgun start at 8am, and the entry fee is $30, which includes lunch. When entering – online – players must stipulate whether they will play a stroke or stableford competition, and must also pre-order lunch at the same time. Entries close at 5pm on Wednesday July 13.
BIRDIE BOB: In beating his age in Tuesday’s Single Stableford round, Bob Trevor has now either beaten or equalled his age 13 times at Headland. But it was a back-nine birdie run that almost racked up another record for the 77-year-old, who shot three-over 75 for 40 Stableford points. Bob started with a bogey on the tenth, then scored birdie, birdie, birdie before hitting the flag on the par-three 14th – at which he won the NTP – but missed the birdie putt from 123cm. He went on to have further birdies at holes two and six, but contrasted his five birdies with eight bogeys. “I failed to get up and down where I should have, and had too many putts,” confessed Bob, who has never previously had four successive birdies in a round. His best birdie rush has been six, his last at least a decade ago.
FIVE ON FOUR: A three-point bogey at the par-four fourth hole on Tuesday – which included a penalty drop – is one of the best results Althea McLean has had during her seven-year golf career. “I hit my drive into the penalty area, took a drop, put my next shot on fairway, my fourth on the green and then sank the putt,” proudly proclaimed the former principal of Chancellor State College Primary Campus who won Tuesday’s Single Stableford for women with 38 points. And while it was her second-best score since she graduated from SWING in 2015, Althea was just happy to be back playing good golf following a long lay-off because of injury. She tore the hamstring off the bone on her left leg 12 months ago when she chased – and caught – her runaway electric buggy, and was almost six months out of the game. But she hopes her scorecard on Tuesday, which disclosed six three-point holes including the impressive score at the fourth, is a sign that her game is getting back to where she can enjoy golf once again.
MATCH PLAY: One A Grade semi-final in each of the Women’s and Men’s Match Play Championship remains to be played before all combatants are decided for the finals, to be played on Saturday, July 2. In Men’s A Grade, reigning Club Champion Adam Richards will play 2020 Club Champion Scott Walker for the right to meet Adam Rydwanski in the final, after Adam received a forfeit from Brad Butler. And Sue Jones is into the Women’s final, also courtesy of a walkover, with Sharon Thomas forfeiting her semi-final match. Sue will meet the winner of the remaining semi-final, to be played between Josie Ryan and Kate Wilkie. In Men’s B Grade Joel Cooney meets Geoff Bland in the final after Joel beat Ian Farrington (2&1) and Geoff was taken to 22 holes before accounting for youngster James Daniel, while in C Grade Deon Breytenbach (3&1 against Anthony Larchin) and John Cleary (19th hole against Nick Reed) will contest the final. Kirsten Kaergaard will play Helen Fraser in the Women’s B Grade final after a 1-up victory over Narelle Hollowood. Helen beat Anne Callanan (also 1-up) in the other semi-final. And Sue Harris is the new C Grade Match Play Champion, having beaten Susie Meade 3&1 in the final on Thursday. Earlier, Sue had beaten Susan Hadenham (4&2) and Susie accounted for Jane Boaler (6&4) in their respective semi-finals.
ENGLISH HILL: Former Headland member Courtney Hill, who represented the Brisbane Heat Women’s cricket team before moving to England to live, has been selected in the England Women’s rugby league team. Now Courtney Winfield-Hill after marrying England cricketer Lauren Winfield in 2020, she qualifies to play for England under the residency rule. In 2019 Courtney, a halfback, played a key role in helping Leeds win the women’s rugby league premiership and championship, and the same year was voted Super League’s Woman of Steel.
WOMEN’S PENNANT: Headland’s No.1 Pennant team, the Diamonds, have scored a resounding 4-1 win over the Noosa/Maleny/Cooroy composite team in the 2022 Sunshine Coast and South Burnett District Pennant season on Sunday. Star of the day was Headland’s No.1, Sharon Thomas, who squared her match against Noosa’s Liv Dolan, who last week was selected to represent the Sunshine Coast. The other star was Christina Claxton who, returning from a four-month lay-off after being thrown from a horse, won 6&4. Veteran Josie Ryan also squared her match, while Kate Wilkie (4&3) and Julie Halliday (6&5) easily won their matches. The result means the Diamonds stand outright second on the leaderboard, one match behind unbeaten Beerwah/Pelican. Sapphires had another resounding win on Monday, beating Caloundra at Maroochy River 3-1, with Carol Dwyer (4&2), Leanne Ptak (3&2) and Mouna Humzy (2-up) winning well, while Robyn Boreham and Chris Parkinson both squared their matches. However, Headland Rubies were not as successful, losing 4-1, and their Pennant season is over. Ruth Broderick (4&3) continued on her winning way, but Di Stark (1-down), Ali Lamond (3&1) and Rhonda Parry (3&2) were unable to beat their respective Gympie opponents at Mt Coolum.
WEEKLY RESULTS:
Tuesday, Single Stableford – sponsor Headland Veterans – Women (54 players) – Althea McLean (38 points), Jo McDougall (36), Sue Briffa (36). Men (62 players) – Bob Trevor (40), Geoff Sawyer (38), Stuart Dykstra (38).
Wednesday, Medley Single Stableford – sponsor Dave Mansley, Mooneys Insurance Brokers – (204 players) – A Grade, David Richards (43 points), Joshua Myers (41), Ian Farrington (40); B Grade, Bruce Heseltine (40), Michael Gregora (38), Ian Harper (38); C Grade, Rick Popik (37), Ossie Laurikainen (36), Stuart Miles (36).
Thursday, Single Stableford, Women, sponsor Headland Senior Women (101 players) – A Grade, Rebecca Masters (39 points), Sharon Thomas (38), Monica Antony (38); B Grade, Kath Barford (36), Ruth Broderick (35), Anita Boyle (33); C Grade, Trish Arden (40), Wendy Burnie (39), Jan Langdon (36).
Men, sponsor Mal Galletly, AJ Steel (77 players) – Nigel Morrison (37), Matt Folker (37), Josh Poole (37).
Saturday, Canadian Foursomes, sponsor Earl Hicks, Global Turf – (238 players) – Tony Pattinson and Ken Wedmaeir (68.875 nett), Kevin Howe and Greg McDonald (70.625), Chris Risby and Dean Oster (70.875), Earl Hicks and Nathan Starr (71.25), Vince O’Neill and Phil Maron (71.875).
Sunday, Medley Single Stableford (57 players) – Derrick Bogaart (41 points), Jack Kelly (38), Mal McDougall (37).
