From Tony Durkin
WE’RE BACK: As most members would no doubt be well aware, competition golf at Headland – albeit in an abridged form – is back following a month-long hiatus. Social distancing protocols introduced by the Federal and State Governments caused the closure of the course from March 24, with social play permitted again from April 17 and competition play from last Tuesday, April 28. Until current social distancing rules are changed, competitions each day will be Medley Single Stableford formats, two players permitted per group, with members to score their own cards. Competition fees are $15, with $2 of that fee being passed on to the Pro Shop to support Adam Norlander and his business during these tough times. For those members not using the MiScore Scoring App, a photo of the scorecard needs to be taken at the end of the round and sent via text to mobile number 0475 873 518 within 10 minutes of completing the round. The hole-by-hole scores are then entered into MiClub by a staff member. No presentations are currently being held, but both scores and results are listed on the Headland website.
LOVE NOT SHARED: The request from Headland’s board for members to ‘share the love’ in respect of playing while limited spots are available during Covid-19 restrictions has not been heeded according to Club President, Jon Welch. In fact, Mr Welch went so far as to call some members selfish, and condemning them for not observing characteristic Headland-member camaraderie. “I must say I am surprised, and extremely disappointed, that some members are not considering others in the manner the board believed they would,” he said. While no restrictions are being placed on the number of games a member can play each week, with competition fields limited to 132 spots each day Mr Welch believes anyone who plays more than two competitions events weekly during the restricted period could be considered selfish. He has particularly urged members not to play on both days of the weekend. Members are reminded that timesheets for Saturday and Sunday competition open on Thursdays at 6:30pm, while those for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday open on Sundays at 6:30pm.
FIRST WINNER: While his achievement may not go down in the annals of Headland Golf Club history, Neil Oxley attained a milestone of sorts on Tuesday when he won the Covid-19 Medley Single Stableford event with 40 points. In doing so, Neil became the first winner of a competition re-start following the longest break in competition golf at the club in its 65-year history – a period of 27 days. And he did it in the company of Headland’s newest member, his future son-in-law, Brad Williams. With two handicap cards already signed, Brad – who had joined the club the previous day – needed just one more to attain a handicap. Neil insists he was not ‘big noting’ in the company of his daughter’s fiancé, but did concede to being suitably chuffed with his steady eight-over par round which included 10 pars and eight bogeys. He described the round – just his fourth in a month – as ‘nothing sensational, but nothing bad’, and was particularly happy with the fact he did not miss a fairway. And he reckons the break from golf had helped him reflect on his poor scores of late, and take on board some of the coaching tips recently passed on in lessons from Head Pro Adam Norlander.
SPARKS FLY: The idiom ‘a poor tradesman blames his tools’ was overturned at Headland on the weekend when electrician Brendan Duncan shot his best-ever round – a four-over par 76 – to win Saturday’s Single Stableford with 42 points. This tradesman was using borrowed tools – a set of TaylorMade P790 irons loaned by Head Professional Adam Norlander – and they worked a treat. Playing alongside his dad Bernie, Brendan mixed six bogeys and two birdies with 10 pars from his 10 handicap to beat his previous best score of 78 shot in November last year. His 37/39 for 22 and 20 points respectively from the blue tees easily won the competition, his first victory in a drought that has lasted more than 12 months. Needless to say, a new set of TaylorMade P790 irons has been ordered.
BABY KEEPER: Being stood down because of Covid-19 restrictions has been a positive for at least one Headland employee – Senior Greenkeeper Stephen Hudson. Four days after the Headland course was closed and the majority of greens staff stood down, he became a father for the second time. Daughter Marli, a sister to 2½-year-old Vesper, was born to Steven and his English-born wife Jennifer on April 1. And while Covid-19 has had a negative effect on the entire community, at least Stephen was able to start immediate paternal leave (two weeks) and has since been receiving JobSeeker payments. Originally, Jennifer’s parents were to fly to Australia and spend two months with the family, but their visit was also stymied by Coronavirus. Stephen says that even though he and his family have been housebound for the past five weeks, bonding with his new daughter and spending quality family time was a bonus he had not envisaged. With restrictions now eased, Stephen and Jennifer are keen to share visits with whom they describe as ‘the wonderful, friendly people of the Sunshine Coast’.
BIRDIE BLITZ: Brian Kesby has shot par or better three times at Headland this year, has scored 12 birdies in those three rounds, but has managed just the one win. And one of those second placings was in Sunday’s Medley Single Stableford event when he shot 71 to score 40 points on a scorecard that revealed five birdies. His two previous memorable rounds – a par 72 in the first Veterans event in January and a two-under 70 to win the A Grade Monthly Medal in March – were highlights of what had been a somewhat mediocre start to the year. But Brian has come out of isolation with a bang scoring 74, 75, 75, 76 and 71 in social and competition rounds since the course re-opened on April 17.
GENEROUS MEMBERS: He may have done it extremely tough financially during the Coronavirus lockdown, but Head Professional Adam Norlander says he has been blown away by the support and generosity of members since the course – and Pro Shop – re-opened on April 17. The forced shutdown of the Pro Shop resulted in a huge drop in income during what is traditionally a boom period of visiting overseas golfers. But in the two weeks since the reopening Adam has labelled the compassion of members as overwhelming. While the support – in the way of some very generous tips and the purchase of equipment including six sets of irons – has in no way compensated for loss of revenue during the lockdown, Adam said the ‘love’ from the Headland family had yet again reassured him he was involved in a very special club.
COURSE CONDITION: With more than 4000 probable rounds of golf suspended by the recent course closure during Covid-19 lockdown (an average of 180 per day for the 17 days the course was closed), the Headland layout has returned in magnificent condition. Despite the fact all but three members of the greens staff were stood down for the first three weeks of the closure, Course Superintendent Ben Tilley said general maintenance and mowing continued on a regular basis. He added that the course had ‘enjoyed’ the rest, with the absence of traffic enabling some of the worn areas to rejuvenate, in particular the tee blocks and green surrounds. But not everyone obeyed the ‘stay away’ edict. One inconsiderate member – or interloper – decided to use the 17th tee as a driving range during the break, while another did the same on the third tee. And just to add to the arrogance, both left their practice balls strewn over the respective fairways. NOTE: The men’s 18th tee is currently being relevelled – both the back and lower levels. It is expected to be available for use within four weeks.
VISTA MEALS: ‘Absolutely blown away beyond all expectations’ is how Headland caterer and Vista Executive Chef Greg Pollard has described the response from members to the provision of takeaway meals during the enforced closure of Headland clubhouse because of COVID-19. Last week was the sixth in which Vista has been providing the service and the magical 6000th meal was produced. As well, almost 500 meals have been donated to health workers employed at Sunshine Coast University Hospital. Such has been the demand for meals that Greg has been able to retain all kitchen staff and the majority of font-of-house workers, an absolute rarity in the food and beverage business during the forced lockdown. And until the clubhouse is able to reopen, the takeaway meal service from Vista will continue. Orders need to be placed by 5pm each Monday by texting 0414 375 800 with member’s name, and meal choices. Collection will then be from the restaurant, between 11 am and 2pm, on Wednesdays and Thursdays. New weekly menus are emailed to members, but can also be viewed at Vista@Headland.
EAGLES GALORE: It may not be a first at Headland, but schoolteacher Daniel Hurst has certainly gained the attention of his fellow members by scoring two eagles within four days last week. His first came at the par-five 13th on Wednesday when he holed a four-metre cross-green putt, and the second on Sunday when he chipped in from the front of the second green. The six-marker has now scored eight eagles. Josie Ryan celebrated her second game back from Covid-19 lockdown (plus an enforced two-week quarantine) with her eagle at the 12th hole on Saturday. The 17-time Headland Ladies Champion, who has not kept count of her eagles, estimates this could be her 20th. And the fourth eagle of the week was scored by Dean Smareglia, who rated his second shot to the tenth the sweetest struck three-wood of his golfing life. It is the third eagle for Dean (handicap 8) since his first as a 15-year-old at Samford Valley.
WHOOPS: Headland’s Masters Pennant captain Warren Selvage is a good example of it not always being advisable to play a competition round the day after a lesson that has almost totally changed a golfer’s swing. Warren hit the course on Saturday following a Friday afternoon lesson with Head Pro Adam Norlander – a lesson which revealed that technically, almost everything about his swing was wrong. Like many club golfers, Warren was self-taught, but he has played 34 years without a lesson and, remarkably, has reduced his handicap to as low as nine. But he felt his game was not improving, hence the reason for seeking professional help. And while Saturday’s round – just 19 points – was not the greatest entry into the era of his new swing, he intends persevering – just as he did after wiping five of his first nine holes on Saturday.
WEEKLY WINNERS:
Tuesday, Medley Single Stableford (127 players) – Neil Oxley (40 points), Andrew Fisher (38), Ross Condon (38), Ann Dykstra (37), Tim Nunan (37), Greg Doolan (37).
Wednesday, Medley Single Stableford (132 players) – Scott Simpson (41 points), Sandi Linnane (40), Rob Cunningham (39), Chris Pace (39), Josh Vearing (39), Fred Muller (39).
Thursday, Medley Single Stableford (129 players) – Michael Rutledge (40 points), Ian Harper (37), Grahame Denovan (37), Fiona Munro (37), Skip Anthony (36), Geoff Sawyer (36).
Saturday, Medley Single Stableford (131 players) – Brendan Duncan (42 points), Matt Prince (40), Matt Hetherington (40), Gary Jamieson (40), Scott Simpson (40), Denis Brumby (40).
Sunday, Medley Single Stableford (123 players) – Anthony Fichera (40 points), Brian Kesby (40), Annabel Harris (39), Neil Oxley (38), Mick Kinnear (38), Peter Elsworth (38).
