Dyer's back and blazing
IT is a statement that will send shivers down the spines of the Far North's best golfers.
"The Dyer boys are back in town."
John Dyer Jr made the claim after winning the champion of champions title with a round of 75 at Mareeba Golf Club on Saturday.
Dyer has barely picked up a club in the past four months, with his only other rounds coming in the Atherton Golf Club championships, when he beat brother Colin in a five-hole playoff.
His four-shot victory on Saturday was a walk in the park in comparison, but it still took a blazing back nine to clinch the title ahead of Mossman’s Peter Chrisfield and Mareeba’s Dale Mattsson, who both shot 79.
Dyer took time to shake the rust out of his game, hitting 42 on the front nine.
He entered the back nine four shots behind, but a brilliant 33 that included a bogey on the 18th ensured he claimed the bragging rights.
The 30-year-old feared he had ruined his chances after a disappointing first nine holes.
"I kept hitting it to five feet and I was three-putting every-thing," he said.
"I didn’t know what I was doing but I just hung in there and did the best I can.
"I thought I was a no-show but I had a freaky last nine."
Dyer, the son of former professional John Sr, returned home to Atherton about 15 months ago after 10 years working at a range of courses in Brisbane.
The lure of country life and work as the Atherton greenkeeper was too great to refuse for the former amateur star who played off handicap of one.
Dyer comes from a dynasty of great golfers. His father, who is now the golf professional at Atherton Golf Club, won the Queensland Open in 1976 and was runner-up to Gary Player in the Australian Open in 1969.
His 11-year-old niece Tayla Dyer is also showing promise in Rockhampton, while he believes his four-year-old daughter Olivia is also on the road to the top.
"When she first walked she pulled out a wooden spoon and dropped a dummy on floor and whacked it around the house.
"It’s in the family."
Dyer’s sons, 10-year-old Jacob and eight-year-old Coen are also showing potential.
Dyer has promised Far North Queensland Golf Association president Danny Bradley that he will get in some practice in the lead-up to next year’s Queensland champion of champions event in Brisbane, when he will represent the Far North.
"I did tell Danny I was going to take another seven years off but he said wait until I get back from Brisbane, and I said all right."
A small field of seven competed for the A grade title, with several club champions unavailable.
Millaa Millaa’s Sarah Kirsch dominated the ladies section, winning the A grade and junior titles with a round of 75.
Junior winner Joshua Goodwin will head to he Queensland junior open early next year.
B grade winner Danny Bradley and C grade winner Wez Hodi will play in the champion of champions tournament at Noosa Springs in November.
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In hot form: John Dyer Jr lines up a putt on his way to winning the champion of champions title at Mareeba on Saturday.

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