Scott Hend and his father Bob win tournaments on same day

THE Hend family takeover of world golf last Sunday netted a cool $388,600 cheque in Thailand and a $35 voucher at Redcliffe Golf Club. Just hours before Scott Hend held his nerve to claim the True Thailand Classic, his 64-year-old father Bob was shooting a net 66 to win the single stroke event at Redcliffe.

The laconic Hend Sr joked, “I had a lucky one” but it was all good golf in a fine five-over-par 77 during his brief 24 hours as an 11-handicapper. Bob is an oddity with his reverse-handed grip from driver to putter but life as “a confused right-hander”, as he calls it, works.

“I got home from Redcliffe, grabbed a beer and watched Scott win it, start to finish, on tape,” Bob said. “I’ve been proud of his golf since he told me at 13 he wanted to turn pro and his record the past few years is terrific.”

Hend’s triumph in Thailand (68-64-70-68) was his sixth tournament win in three years and catapulted him from 122nd to 79th in the world.

Often undervalued is Hend’s buddy Tony Carolan, a pro himself, being on his bag as caddie. It was TC who sprayed Hend with champagne on the final green in Thailand.