Durko makes the headlines at Headland Golf Club

By Peter Owen

FOR the past five years members of Headland Golf Club on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast have been receiving their very own unique weekly news bulletin, penned by one of the country’s best-known sports writers.

Tony Durkin, once editor of Rugby League Week, media manager of the Brisbane Broncos and long-time league columnist for APN newspapers, has been a Headland member since relocating from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast in 2007.

He began writing Headland Headlines in 2017. 

It is a detailed, informative rundown of the week’s golfing activities and is uploaded to the members’ section of the club’s website at the beginning of each week.

Durkin interviews the winners of club competitions decided during the previous week, telling the story of how and why they prevailed, detailing club initiatives, and acknowledging the contribution of sponsors.

“Everybody has a story to tell, and everybody – deep down – enjoys the recognition of a round well played,” said Durkin.

Each weekly blog includes the full results – first, second and third – of every competition played at Headland, and often covers the achievements of Headland members at other courses.

“Apart from a three-week break over Christmas each year the column has been published every week,” Durkin said.

Durkin is compensated for his efforts by the club contributing each week to his members’ points account. But he doesn’t do it for the remuneration – his reward is just sharing stories with the membership and honouring those golfers who, sometimes ever so briefly, make the headlines.