From Tony Durkin 

COURSE CONDITION: For the second successive week no competition golf has been played at Headland, and the course is again likely to be closed for at least the next two days. More than 530mm of rain has fallen on the course during the month of May, taking the total for the year to 1791mm, a massive 291mm more than the annual average after just five months. “Following another deluge over the weekend, all fairways are holding water and are certainly not playable,” said an extremely frustrated Course Superintendent Ben Tilley. “Patience is needed to allow the surface water to draw down and the course dry out, and that is not going to occur with this continuing and persistent rain.” Despite the course being open for social golf on Thursday and Friday, and the fairways and some perimeter rough mown, rain over the weekend has taken the course back to the condition it was at the start of last week. 

MATCH PLAY UPDATE: Following the second successive cancellation of the 2022 Women’s and Men’s Match Play Championship semi-finals, the club’s Championship Match Committee has advised of the desire to have finals all played on Saturday week, June 4. In view of that, the committee has asked all semi-finalists to endeavour to have their semi-final matches completed by that date. “If the weather precludes that from occurring, we plan to be flexible. But the aim is to definitely have the best golfers going through to compete in the finals, if that is all possible,” Men’s Director of Golf, Peter O’Brien, emphasised. In Women’s A Grade, 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 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 Clearly. The Men’s Match Play Championship is sponsored by Ash Reck, of Definitive Finance. 

WOMEN’S PENNANT: Headland’s women teams are well prepared for their tilt at the 2022 Sunshine Coast and Burnett District Pennant season, albeit a later start than expected because of the recent deluge. Headland will field four teams this year, and although they are officially called by gemstone names they are – basically – two weekend grades (Diamonds and Emeralds) and two mid-week grades (Sapphires and Rubies). The two latter teams are essentially the Grade Two and Three teams from last year. The Diamonds, to be captained by Josie Ryan, will field a team of five with the first three team members playing off the stick, and the remaining two players on maximum handicaps of 15. The five Emeralds players are restricted to a gross maximum handicap aggregate of 100, are scheduled to play their first match at Noosa, on Sunday (May 29), and will be captained by Kirsten Kaergaard. With five players and a maximum aggregate handicap of 110, the Sapphires will be captained by Chris Parkinson and had their first match of the season today (Monday) cancelled. Di Stark will captain the Rubies, whose five team members are restricted to a maximum handicap of 160. They were due to host at Headland tomorrow (Tuesday), and their first match will now be at Maroochy River next Monday (May 3). The cancelled matches will not be re-scheduled, and points will be shared. Headland team members gathered on May 12 for the presentation of new teal shirts, generously sponsored by the Jodie McDonell of Century 21.  

TWO-BALL JUG: Weather permitting, one of Headland’s best-supported events on the Headland golfing calendar, the Two-Ball Jug, will be contested for 2022 on Saturday. 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 are eligible to play in the event providing spaces are available, only teams containing two Headland members can win the Jug. 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 (2021). NOTE: The sheet for this event is fully booked.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: The ever-popular Super Golf returns to Headland on Saturday, June 11, to celebrate the club’s 67th birthday. Sponsored by Headland Golf Club and Adam Norlander’s Headland On-Course Pro Shop, the 10-hole event will be played on the ‘cross-country’ course, and is a four-person Ambrose competition. Some of the more interesting holes are a par-six, from the eighth tee to the sixth green; a 90-metre par three from the first tee to the second green; a par four from the 12th fairway to the 11th green; and a par three, over the dam, from the 11th tee to the 12th green. Shotgun starts will be held at 6.30am, 10am and 1.30pm, and the cost is $13 per player. Following golf, a tapas menu is on offer and live music will be played from 5pm-8pm. Entries for the event will open at 6.30pm on Saturday, June 4.

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