From Tony Durkin
COURSE CLOSED: Headland golf course is closed, indefinitely. The Board of Headland Golf Club met on Saturday (March 28) to once again discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and resolved that the golf course will be closed – to all play and practise – until further notice. Discussed by the Board members was advice received from the Prime Minister, both the Federal and State Governments and from industry leaders at Golf Australia and Clubs Queensland which, primarily, is to limit the spread of the highly-contagious virus which has particularly lethal consequences for people 60 years of age and over. General Manager Ben Dobson advised that if the spread of the virus is limited, the Australian health systems have a chance of delivering good outcomes for club members, many of whom are in that most vulnerable age category. Government advice is to stay home and to restrict ourselves to essential activities only. “Australia is under severe stress, and the best thing Headland members can do to help is stay home,” he said. “We understand some other golf courses may be open, but Headland has a history of leadership within the community and the Board resolved to continue that communal leadership by making this tough decision. While the period of closure remains a complete unknown, the sooner we all abide by Government advice, the sooner we will be able to return to life as we know it. This will undoubtedly have an impact on the Club as a whole, as well as our staff and contractors, and we are working with them to find the fairest and most supportive outcomes possible.”
VISTA MEALS: Headland caterer and Vista Executive Chef Greg Pollard has described as ‘truly overwhelming’ the support of members to his offer of providing takeaway meals during the enforced closure of Headland clubhouse because of COVID-19. In fact, such was the support that Friday’s offer of fish and chips became somewhat of an embarrassment as an anticipated order of around ‘80-100’ meals became 180. But, while the continuation of the fish and chips offer is being debated, Greg has assured members that despite Vista operating with its skeleton staff, pre-prepared meals will be again be available this coming week. Orders must be placed by 5pm Monday (March 30) by texting to 0414 375 800 the member’s name, and meal choices. Collection will then be from the restaurant, between 11 am and 2pm, on Wednesday and Thursday, April 1 and 2. Or, for those in isolation, staff will drop orders to the car if requested in advance. The new menu can be viewed on the Vista@Headland facebook page, or CLICK HERE
NURSE SUPPORT: While a clearly disgruntled club member may have texted Greg and accused him of profiteering, Vista is not just providing members with a valuable service during the closure of Headland Golf Club, but is also keeping apprentice chefs in training. And aside from those benefits, when a Headland member buys a package of 10 meals (just $80), Vista is donating one meal to the hard-working and under-stress nurses at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital. Members are also free to donate a meal, with deliveries to the hospital being made on Fridays.
PENNANT FINAL: Sunday’s scheduled final of the 2020 Sunshine Coast Golf Zone A Grade Pennant Competition, in which Headland was to meet Noosa, has been postponed indefinitely. The undefeated Headland team of Brad Butler, Jake Crowther, Jamie Hill, Josh Holbrook, Sean McGill, Dave Rattray, Adam Richards, Adam Rydwanski, Scott Walker, and James Brownsworth (non-playing Captain/Manager) had qualified for its second final in the past three years. However, because of the myriad of impositions placed on golf relating to COVID 19, both teams preferred to postpone the final, which was to have been played at Gympie. Captain/Manager James Brownsworth said Headland team members – by finishing top of the table – did not want to win the Pennant by default and had expressed their keenness to play the final in the future, irrespective of the timing. He also paid tribute to the team – the first he has managed in an official capacity – and said the team spirit exemplified the character that exists throughout the Headland Golf Club. “As a team, the players were outstanding. And, I must say, we certainly had a good time together,” he said.
EASTER OPEN: Headland’s Men’s Sunshine Coast Open Amateur Championship for 2020, which was to have been held over the Easter weekend, has been temporarily postponed until the weekend of September 26 and 27. The long-standing Championship, which is again sponsored by generous club member Justin Walsh of Walsh Consulting Engineers, is one of the highlights of Headland’s golfing calendar and the reigning champion – for two successive years – is Headland Club Champion Jake Crowther. The Championship is open to players with a maximum AGU handicap of 17.5, with an entry fee of $75 including breakfast or luncheon rolls each day. Online Nominations, for either a morning or afternoon start, will reopen later in the year.
COAD RED: It may not have been an emergency as such, but Tony Coad admits to a catastrophe of sorts last Saturday week when he scored just 26 points in the Single Stableford event. It was, he said, embarrassing, particularly the fact he had five wipes on his card and could muster a meagre nine points on the front nine. But two days is a long time in golf, and he made amends on Monday with 37 points – 83 gross – to win A Grade when the Headland Vets hosted Cooroy. And, in a reminder that our mental approach to the game is constantly a vital ingredient, Tony conceded his concentration on Monday had lifted considerably. “Vets days are special days to me,” said the Headland Veteran Golfers’ President of 10 years. “When we have players from other clubs visiting, I always feel an added responsibility to play well.” And play well Tony did, with 19 points on the front nine, 18 on the back and 10 pars on a very consistent scorecard.
WHOOPS: It seems former Wallaby Brett Johnstone is not the only Headland member to have recently had a disagreement with a mountain bike (HH last week). Dave Wickham reports a similar, although more-serious accident, at Tewantin a few weeks ago which resulted in four broken ribs, a punctured lung, an ambulance trip (flashing lights and siren included) and a week ensconced in Sunshine Coast University Hospital. Following a further week of rest and recuperation at home, Dave is now back at work but still some considerable time away from again swinging a golf club.
HEADLINES ON LEAVE: With competition golf at Headland postponed for the foreseeable future, Headland Headlines will take a break. Hopefully the column will be back sooner rather than later. Stay safe, and healthy.
WEEKLY WINNERS:
Monday, Vets Single Stableford, Ladies (27 players) – Joy Bullock (34 points), Yvonne Henry (33), Ros Brandt (33); Men (75 players) – A Grade, Tony Coad (37 points), Dennis Taylor (36), Brian Richards (36); B Grade, Gary Dwyer (38), Col Williamson (35), David Horn (35); C Grade, Jack Williams (34), John Visser (34), Bruno Ciot (34).
