From Tony Durkin
HOT FORM: Sean McGill has warmed up for the 2023 Sunshine Coast/Glasshouse Pennant season with two successive hot rounds at Headland. The former Headland Pennant Captain shot three-under 64 on Saturday to win the A Grade Monthly Mug by three shots, and return the best gross. The previous Saturday he scored 39 points to win the A Grade Single Stableford event. His brilliant round of 64 on Saturday – for nett 61 – contained five birdies, 11 pars and two bogeys. Sean will again be a key member of Headland’s impressive A Grade Pennant team, which plays its first match in the expanded 10-team competition against Maroochy River at Caboolture on Sunday week (June 18). Headland and Maroochy River will be joined in the Pennant competition by newcomers Caboolture, Beerwah, Bribie Island and Woodford, and will play alongside Sunshine Coast clubs Noosa, Peregian, Mt Coolum and Caloundra. Headland team members for the 2023 season are Adam Richards, Sean McGill, Ben Duncombe, Dave Rattray, Steve Hudson, Adam Rydwanski, Shane Muller, Wayne West, Aaron Shaw and Brad Butler.
LUCKY CHARM: Next time Rob Cunningham is in a form slump, his best mate Kerry Osbourn is certain to receive a call. Rob shot his best round of golf – a one-over 68 – to win Sunday’s Medley Single Stableford event at Headland by eight shots, and in the company of Darwin-based Kerry. And ironically, when Kerry was last visiting the Sunshine Coast eight months ago, he witnessed Rob score his first hole in one. “He is my lucky charm on the golf course, that’s for sure,” joked Rob, who revealed the pair shared a bottle or two of St Hugo on Sunday evening. Playing off a handicap of nine, the former banker – who is Headland’s Director of Finance – fired a birdie, 15 pars and two bogeys in his exceptional round, for nett 59. His previous best was three-over 72 at the par 69 Gosnells Golf Club in Perth, three decades ago.
SPONSOR FIRES: So enamoured was Ryan Tomlinson when he won his first Monthly Medal as a Headland member last year, the Century 21 Real Estate consultant decided to sponsor the event. And on Saturday he literally ‘financed’ his second Medal victory, scorching Headland’s par-67 reconfigured course with a four-over 71 from his 14 handicap. “It was an awesome round,” said Ryan, who had three stokes shaved from his handicap as a result of his nett 57, and win in B Grade. Apart from a triple bogey at the tough par-four fourth hole and a double at the equally-difficult par-four 16th, Ryan was on fire – three birdies, 11 pars and two bogeys on his card. Of South African descent, Ryan joined Headland in 2017 and his previous best round was an eight-over par 80. Ciaran Fenton (61) won A Grade and Wes Houk (64) won the C Grade Medal.
FIRST MEDAL: There were no unsightly cracks in the game of Lynn Deacon on Saturday when the Dental Assistant won her first Monthly Medal. A SWING graduate from four years ago, Lynn also returned her lowest score at Headland, carding 85 for a nett 65, and victory by two strokes. Her consistent round contained six pars, seven bogeys and five doubles, and accentuates the improvement she has made since starting on a handicap of 41 in 2019, which is now down to a GA of 19 following her impressive win. “It was only the third time I have played in a Medal round, and I had no expectations whatsoever,” chirped a ‘very, very happy’ Lynn, who teed off at 7.30am and waited patiently for the field to finish. Her previous best round on the par 73 course was 91.
BEN DUNKS: The current par at Headland during bunker renovations may be just 67, but sinking six birdies and an eagle in his round is still a mighty achievement by reigning Men’s Junior Champion Ben Duncombe. Playing off a handicap of plus one, Ben ripped the course apart on Thursday with a five-under 62, scoring 40 points to win the Single Stableford event for Men. But the exceptional round could have been even better – Ben’s card was scarred by three bogeys. His previous best at Headland was a bogey-free eight-under round of 64 in November last year, but he has twice scored 62 at his junior Club course, the par 72 Coral Cove.
DEE RESPONDS: Without golf for almost 12 months because of a broken wrist, Dee Davidson has celebrated something that she says is more important than her Monthly Medal victory at Headland on Wednesday. “I’m back in B Grade,” quipped the excited 17-year club member after she shot nett 63 to win the B Grade Medal, and register the lowest score of the day. Dee broke her wrist in January last year, and finally had surgery in October. “When my handicap had blown out to 31, my goal was to get back in to B Grade, and now I’m there,” said Dee, who scored five pars and seven bogeys in her gross score of 90. Liz Dunford (64) won the A Grade Medal, Deb Prince (70) saluted in C Grade and Margaret Moran (66) was the D Grade winner.
ACE, FINALLY: When Derrick Bogaart extracted his ball from the hole at the par three 14th on Sunday, he shouted ‘43 years, at (expletive) last’. For Derrick, it was the culmination of a frustrating 43 years waiting for every golfer’s dream – a hole in one. “I have scored eight eagles on par fours, and gone so close, so many times, to an ace previously,” explained the delighted six-year Headland member. Formerly a member at Pelican Waters for a decade and at three Canberra clubs before that, Derrick – whose eyesight is not the best – did not see the ball fall in to the hole, but his reaction was videoed by best mate and prolific Headland sponsor, Dave Mansley from Mooney’s Insurance Brokers.
KING ROSCOE: Honing his golfing skills in Dubai last year while on holiday is not the reason four-decade member Roscoe King doubled his handicap number to score 44 points in Wednesday’s Medley Single Stableford. “That came out of the blue,” said Roscoe, the retired well-known Sunshine Coast chef who spent a total of three months overseas last year visiting family, but not playing much golf. “It has been at least two years since I last won, so I am as surprised as anybody.” But his win in C Grade was not the only victory for the 22-marker. He and long-time regular playing partner Syd Shilling combined to win the associated Fourball event, adding an impressive $135 to Roscoe’s House Account. His winning round featured two four-pointers and seven three-point holes, with the highlight a par four at the tough 15th. Josh Vearing (38 points) won A Grade and David Simmons (43) won C Grade.
BEV’S BIRDIE: A birdie at the 18th on Tuesday – and an A Grade win in the Single Stableford competition – has given Bev Barnes hope that her golf game is somewhat back on track. “I honestly cannot remember when I last had a win,” said the 19-year member who scored 41 points and shot 85 off the bat on the latest reconfigured Headland layout. The birdie at 18 gave her the second four-pointer of the day, while she also carded four three-pointers and nine two-pointers. “Age is starting to catch up with me,” she lamented, but conceded she had recently reduced her handicap from an unusually high of 26 to the 22, from which she played on Tuesday. Bev won A Grade by four points, while B Grade winner Linda Darnell (40 points) had a similar gap to second place. NOTE: Bev backed up on Thursday to score 64 nett in the Women’s Monthly Medal event, finishing second in B Grade.
HOWZAT HOLMES: Luckily, former QCA umpire Garry Holmes did not have to call for the DRS (Decision Review System) to declare him the winner in Tuesday’s tight finish to the Single Stableford for Men. Garry scored 38 points, the same as runners-up Mal McDougall and Paul Hughes, with Garry and Mal both penning 20 points on the back nine. However, Garry was declared the winner when scores from the final six holes were tallied for the countback – 14-13. A Headland member since April last year, the recently-retired Building Manager has had three victories in that time, as well as a second, two thirds and ‘heaps’ of $5 run-down prizes, and that steady golf has resulted in the current 15-marker reducing his handicap by seven shots in his 14 months as a member – the same amount of time he was on the waitlist.
HEADLAND KINGS: Headland’s B Grade Pennant team has become ‘Kings of the Coast’ after winning the inaugural inter-club challenge against Maroochy River on Sunday. It was a close-run affair, Headland winning the 11-match affair 6-5. The event, the brainchild of respective captains Michael Thomas (Headland) and Andy Meldrum (Maroochy River), will be played annually as a lead in to the Sunshine Coast District Pennant season, which starts on Sunday week (June 18). Headland’s six winners at Maroochy River were the captain, Michael Thomas (4&3), Matt Hetherington (5&4), Damien Moelands (3&1), Geoff Bland (3&2), Ryan Tomlinson (2&1) and Chris Schultz (1-up).
BIRTHDAY BASH: Headland Golf Club turns 68 this coming Saturday (June 10), and members have supported the ‘birthday event’ in typical Headland fashion. Within minutes of the timesheet opening, the Single Stableford events for both Women and Men and the Medley Fourball Best Ball to be played in conjunction, were fully subscribed, with a dozen players on the waitlist. The special event – sponsored by David Mansley from Mooney’s Insurance Brokers, will have a two-tee start – 6.30am and 10.43am – and drink specials, a tapas menu and live music will be provided, post golf.
WOMEN’S PENNANT: Despite yet another drawn result – against Noosa Springs at Maroochy River on Sunday – Headland’s Diamond team is in to the semi-final of the 2023 Sunshine Coast and South Burnett District Women’s Pennant competition. Sharon Thomas was the hero on Sunday, winning 1-up at the 18th hole in the final match of the day to gain the 3-all draw. Annabel Harris and Vicky Sheridan both won 5&3, while Karen Wilson (6&4), Pik Chong (4&3) and Kate Wilkie (3&2) were beaten. Headland will host the Noosa Composite team at home on Sunday. Emeralds also tied, 3-all, against Maroochy River at Noosa on Monday. Winners were Kirsten Kaergaard (2&1), Wil Sprake (3&1) and Jodie McDonnel (4&3), while the Sapphires played at nearby Noosa Springs and lost all six matches. The Opals won just the lone match at Beerwah against Caloundra, with Jan Langdon saluting 3&2. However, it was much better news for the Rubies, winning 3½ to 2½ against Pennant leaders Bribie Island at Beerwah. Susie Meade squared her match, Ellen Bloxsome won 3&1, Jenny Stokes won 2-up and Sue Harris (2&1) was also victorious.
JUNIOR PENNANT: Headland’s Junior Pennant suffered another defeat on Sunday, going down 3-1 to the strong Maroochy River (1) team at Pelican Waters. Backing up from his nett 60 in the Headland Monthly Medal the previous day, 15-marker Sam Fichera won his match 2-up. However, Charlotte Ridley (4&3), Rian Mitchell (2&1) and Flynn Lambalk (6&5) were beaten. Next Sunday Headland plays Noosa at Noosa Springs.
WEEKLY RESULTS:
Tuesday, Single Stableford, Women (54 players) – A Grade, Bev Barnes (41 points), Mary Dowling (37), Wendy Burnie (35); B Grade, Linda Darnell (40), Joy Bullock (36), Suzanne Pledge (36).
Men (66 players) – Garry Holmes (38), Mal McDougall (38), Paul Hughes (38).
Wednesday, Medley Single Stableford (213 players) – A Grade, Josh Vearing (38 points), Andrew Trenerry (38), David Richards (37); B Grade, David Simmons (43), Brian Hills (42), Tony Pearson (39); C Grade, Roscoe King (44), Greg Smith (40), Trevor Beall (40). Medley Fourball Best Ball Stableford, Roscoe King and Syd Shilling (49 points).
Thursday, Women, Monthly Medal – sponsors B BY Halcyon and Jenny McDonnel, Century 21 – (122 players) – A Grade, Liz Dunford (64 nett), Dora Hopgood (65), Gwen Nancarrow (68), gross – Lisa Ramen (78); B Grade, Dee Davidson (63), Bev Barnes (64), Odette Day (64) – gross, Helen Fraser (84); C Grade, Deb Prince (70), Kath Kingston (70), Sue Hadenham (70) – gross, Kath Kingston (100); D Grade, Margaret Moran (66), Kay Campbell (66), Prue Byrnes (70) – gross, Margaret Moran (103) .
Men, Single Stableford (87 players) – Ben Duncombe (40 points), Tony Kelleher (40), Josh Poole (38).
Saturday, Monthly Medal, sponsors, Century 21 (Ryan Tomlinson and Jodie McDonnel) – Women (31 players) – Lynn Deacon (65 nett), Coralie Walsh (67), Kathy Atkins (67); gross – Annabel Harris (81).
Men (211 players) – A Grade, Sean McGill (61), Ciaran Fenton (61), Aaron Shaw (64); B Grade, Ryan Tomlinson (57), Chris Klazema (59), Sam Fichera (60); C Grade, Wes Houk (64), Steve Walters (65), Jack Williams (66); gross – sponsor Brian Kesby – Sean McGill (64) .
Juniors – Six-hole Stroke, Mathew Bothma (Orange, 30), Benjamin Cox (Green, 30), Finn Darlison (Orange, 32), Dylan Manning (Pink, 33), George Jones (Pink, 34).
Sunday, Medley Single Stroke (49 players) – Rob Cunningham (59 nett), Dave Mansley (67), Don Caldwell (67).
