From Tony Durkin

COURSE INUNDATED: As a result of continuous rain for more than a week, Headland’s golf course is not expected to re-open until tomorrow (Tuesday), with carts on paths – providing no further rain is recorded. Since rain started falling last Monday 281mm has been recorded, taking the total figure for the first five months of the year to 1537mm, already more than Headland’s annual average of 1500mm. Course Superintendent Ben Tilley said he had never seen the course as inundated as it has been this past week, particularly on Saturday morning when water rushed across a number of fairways. “I thought February was bad, but this has been much worse. This recent rain has simply topped up the water table and the water has nowhere to go but over the course,” he said. “In my 15 years at Headland, I have never experienced anything like this.” According to the Course Super, the decision after the February deluge not to make improvements to the damaged bunkers on course was a smart one. “This recent torrent would no doubt have severely damaged them again,” he said. No competition golf has been played at Headland since last Sunday week (May 8).

MATCH PLAY DEFERRED: The week of persistent rain and the subsequent closure of the course has resulted in the rescheduling of the semi-finals of the Headland Women’s and Men’s Match Play Championship. Weather and course conditions permitting, the semi-finals will be played on Saturday (May 21), with the finals to be contested on a date yet to be announced. In the Women’s A Grade draw, defending Champion Josie Ryan meets Kate Wilkie, while Sue Jones and Sharon Thomas clash in the other semi-final. Defending Champion Adam Richards plays Scott Walker in the first of the Men’s semi-finals, with Adam Rydwanski taking on Brad Butler for the right to play the final. In Women’s B Grade, Helen Fraser meets Anne Callanan and Narelle Hollowood plays Kirsten Kaergaard, with Sue Harris and Sue Haddenham clashing in one semi-final of C Grade, and Susie Meade and Jane Boaler meeting in the other. Defending Men’s B Grade Champion Ian Farrington plays Joel Cooney in one semi-final, while Geoff Bland and James Daniel clash in other, and in C Grade Deon Breytenbach meets Anthony Larchin and Nick Reed meets John Cleary. The Men’s Match Play Championship is sponsored by Ash Reck, of Definitive Finance.

TWO-BALL JUG: One of the more popular events on the Headland golfing calendar, the Two-Ball Jug, will be contested for 2022 on Saturday week, May 28. The Medley Two-Person Ambrose event is in its fourth year, and will again be supported by the original sponsors from 2019, Graeme and Jack Nicholas of Hometree and Grant Martyn of Grant Martyn Constructions. The theme for the day is once more footy dress – of any code – and the sponsors have stumped up $2000 in prizes, catering for numerous novelty categories including best-dressed duo. Other prizes – apart from the Jug itself – will be for NTPs on all par threes, pro pins, long drives and a $100 draw for each player who hits the 18th green. While the best nett score will win the Claret Jug, an additional gross prize will also be presented. And even though visitors will be eligible to play in the event providing spaces are available, only teams containing two Headland members can win the Jug. Entries will open at 6.30pm on Saturday (May 21). Past winners of the Jug have been Mick Morris and Scott Bromfield (2019), Glen Grimish and Trevor Gourlay (2020) and Nick Reed and Will Millroy (2019).

 BENTWOOD TROPHY: Entries have opened for the annual Women’s Bentwood Trophy, a competition between Headland and Redcliffe since 1986. The Single Stableford event will be held at Headland on Thursday, June 9, with a shotgun start at 8.30am. The top 12 stableford scores from each club will determine the winning team for the Bentwood Trophy, which is currently held by Headland after last year’s event was cancelled because of wet weather. Entry fee, which includes lunch, is $30, and close on Tuesday, May 31. Lunch must be pre-ordered online.

WEEKLY RESULTS: All completions cancelled because of weather and course conditions.