From Tony Durkin
GALLERY GOLF: Rarely – in fact possibly never – has a Headland mid-week summer timesheet competition attracted a gallery. But there was one on Wednesday, albeit a group of four relatives, and 31-year member Brian Richards sheepishly concedes no-one was there to watch him compile his three-over par 39 on the front nine. The attraction was Brian’s three companions, accomplished English amateurs – brothers Callem (handicap plus 3) and Michael Farr (plus 1) and Matty Lamb (plus 5) – who are enjoying a golfing sojourn in Queensland. Based at Pelican Waters for the past six weeks, the trio is preparing to play four major events in Australia next month, including the Australian Amateur at Woodlands in Victoria. And they found the Headland course, which is in excellent condition despite the recent downpour, an exciting but at times difficult challenge. Callem, with 35 points, returned a two-under par 70 with five birdies and three bogeys on his card; Michael wiped the 12th and matched three birdies with three bogeys for 33 points; while Matty struggled to a three-over 75, 27 points with three birdies and six bogeys. But all three agreed the Headland course, and particularly the greens, were absolutely superb.
PENNANT HISTORY: Burgess and Brett Stephenson have created Headland golfing history by becoming the first father-and-son combination to represent the club in the Sunshine Coast Golf Zone Masters Pennant competition. Selection trials three weekends ago decided the make-up of the team, which kicks off its Pennant search on Sunday, February 3. Burgess (74 years of age) started playing Masters Pennants for Headland when he moved north from Brisbane 13 years ago – when Brett was just 37 years old. And for many of those 13 years Brett, a promising junior and more recently winner of both the B and C Grade Matchplay Championships at Headland, was his dad’s Pennant caddy. But now, with Brett recently reaching the qualification age of 50, the pair will join a particularly-strong Headland Masters team which last won the SCGZ Pennant in 2015. Captained by Warren Selvage, the team members will be Brian Kesby, Ian Moore, Simon Whittle, Peter Holt, Neven Daniel, Peter Richardson, Neil Oxley, Burgess Stephenson and Brett Stephenson. NOTE: Another father- and-son combination – Michael and Blake Thomas – will be included in the B Grade Pennant team, while James Daniel will have his third year in the Headland Junior team, joining his debutant Pennant dad Neven, who will play in the Masters team. The A Grade, B Grade and Junior Pennant teams will be officially unveiled on January 19.
WELL GROOMED: Schoolteacher Simon Groom has finally broken through for a win at Headland after – by his own admission – ‘going backwards’ since he joined the club in May. Simon signed for a two-over par 74, and 40 stableford points, to win A Grade on Wednesday, but not before beating off three other challengers on a countback, one of whom was Patron Simon Whittle. When he joined Headland, from Scone Golf Club, Simon was playing off three and while he has thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and condition of Headland, his inconsistent form is something with which he has struggled. But playing off six on Wednesday he had three birdies, three bogeys and a double on his card in easily his most satisfying round of golf in the past eight months. Eighteen-marker Terry Lawlor, with 42 points, returned the best score of the day.
SIMULATED GOLF: Headland’s newly-installed Golf Simulation Studio is up and running, and has been a popular venue during the recent big wet and stifling weather. The new studio has replaced the former ‘birdcage’ located adjacent to the Pro Shop and is a fully enclosed/air-conditioned venue, fitted with a blue Colourbond exterior. The studio has various purposes, the first and foremost being an alternate venue for the teaching professionals to deliver lessons and club fits, irrespective of weather conditions. The installation of a GC2 (Game Changer) monitor gives the effect of a driving range, and an impact screen – which can absorb ball speeds up to 350 kph – construes the result of shots and displays the relevant data. But the ‘fun’ aspect of the GC2 is that it can effectively be converted to a golf course, with US classics Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill currently running. And, at $50 an hour for members and $60 for visitors, the 18-hole experience is a more attractive alternative than the US $495 to actually play these courses. With Headland lacking a driving range, the option to pay $15 for a 10-minute warm up session prior to teeing off is another advantage. Bookings for the Golf Simulator Studio need to me made through the Pro Shop.
IT’S TAYLES: Kathryn Tayles has scored a resounding vote of support to fill the role of Headland Golf Club Vice-President, recently vacated by Many Oster. Kathryn was a clear-cut winner, polling 296 votes in the four-person ballot, 132 more than her closest rival. She will fill the position of Vice-President until next year’s AGM, which will be held in September. Kathryn tackles the role with some experience – she was House Director in 2012-2013. A club member and regular player since 2006, the former Rio Tinto executive is thrilled with the strong vote of support and determined to ‘make a difference’.
NEW YEAR’S EVE: Vista Executive Chef Greg Pollard has prepared a superb feast for members and guests at Headland’s New Year’s Eve party, and doesn’t want anyone with intentions to attend, to miss out on a seat. And that is why he has requested members to book their tickets before the Christmas break. The party theme is Polynesian and a mouth-watering buffet will be presented at a cost of $85, which includes a complimentary drink on arrival. Dishes from the buffet – including fresh salmon, tuna and king prawns, huli huli pork, Hawaiian barbecue pork spare ribs, grilled garlic and chili king prawns, Mahi Mahi with plantation crust and Tahitian vanilla sauce, slow roasted beef rump with a Polynesian rub plus a varied mixture of exquisite salads, greens and vegetables – bring an inescapable Pacific Island feast theme to the night. Add a Polynesian-inspired dessert buffet to the bird’s eye view of the spectacular Mooloolaba fireworks, live music provided by CopyRyte and a special performance by the Magic of the South Pacific Polynesian Dance Troupe, and the evening appeals as a ‘must-not-miss’ event. So, to avoid disappointment click on the link below to secure tickets now www.eventbrite.com.au/e/new-years-eve-2019-at-headland-golf-club-sunshine-coast-tickets-53169017964
MONDAY VETS: From the start of competition rounds in 2019, Headland Veterans (Vets) competitions will return to what had been their regular day of Monday. A trial during 2018, during which Vets competitions were switched to Tuesday to ostensibly free up more time on Mondays for social play, was not popular with the Vets. And despite a notion of motion to the AGM in September calling for the competition to be reverted to Mondays being defeated, a Golf Operations Review has confirmed the past format will return from next year. Vets time slots will be from 7am to 9am on Mondays, with the Tuesday Medley events remaining – those time slots between 10.30am and 12.30pm.
HEADLINES ON HOLD: Following a long, exhaustive but extremely satisfying year, Headland Headlines will take a short break to enjoy the festive season. This will be the final appearance of the blog for 2018, but our news and results tome will reappear, refreshed and reinvigorated, on January 14 in the new year. HH wishes all readers/members a happy Christmas and fun and fruitful golfing in 2019.
WEEKLY WINNERS:
Tuesday, Single Stableford, Ladies (29 players) – Will Sprake (38 points), Kirsten Kaergaard (36), Trish Murphy (33); Men (40 players) – Mick Kelsey (40), Neville Kenzler (39), Grahame Denovan (39).
Wednesday, Men, Single Stableford (188 players) – A Grade, Simon Groom (40 points), Nick Cox (40), Chris Risby (40); B Grade, Terry Lawlor (42), Burgess Stephenson (39), Ken Maguire (39); C Grade, Bruce Heseltine (39), Roly Hoy (38), Barry Matl (39).
Thursday, Single Stableford, Ladies (39 players) – Ruth Broderick (36 points), Kathy Petrie (35), Kerrie Tibbits (34); Men (77 players) – Ed Hoey (43), Grahame Denovan (41), John Jamieson (40).
