By Peter Owen
If he was a racehorse, Blake Heiniger would doubtlessly bring a high price at any yearling sale.
He is, after all, a golfing blueblood, with an impeccable pedigree.
His dad, Peter Heiniger, has been a professional golfer on the Sunshine Coast for years, carving a career as one of the country’s finest teachers and coaches – first at the Hyatt Coolum, then at Noosa Springs.
But, for years, it seemed that Blake, a leftie like Peter, might be lost to the game of golf.
When he was a student at St Andrew’s College at Peregian Springs his sport of choice was rugby union, then cricket.
He played junior cricket for teams at Nambour and Maroochydore from the age of 10.
Both Blake and his brother Jack were picked for the Queensland under 12 team – Blake as a batsman and Jack as a bowler.
He always played golf, however, competing in nine-hole competitions until he played his first 18-hole competition at Peregian Springs at the age of 12.
But when he was 16, though a member of the Sunshine Coast under 15 squad, he decided to abandon cricket in favour of golf – perhaps at the gentle persuasion of his dad.
“I’d got to the stage where I had to make a choice,” Blake said. “I just didn’t have the time to devote to both sports.”
He joined Noosa Springs, played and practised as much as he could, improved his game and landed a part-time job in the pro shop at Maroochy River.
Now the circle has fully closed, and Blake, 21, has followed his father’s footsteps and decided to become a professional golfer, beginning a three-year traineeship with Maroochy River head pro Sean Seymore in January.
“I’m very excited,” Blake said.
“The staff here are awesome, the members have been very welcoming and I love the work. It’s great to be working under such a highly respected pro as Sean.”
Before securing his traineeship, Blake had filled a variety of part-time hospitality and retail roles in Noosa, waiting for the right opportunity.
“I’ve known for a long time that I wanted to have a career in golf,” he said.
Blake was encouraged to apply for the traineeship by his mate Luke Parker, who worked in the Maroochy River pro shop for two years before transferring to Wynnum.
“I played a lot of golf with Luke as a junior,” Blake said.
Like every young golfer with a talent for the game, Blake dreams of becoming a touring professional, competing on one of the world’s premier tours.
He’s inspired by another Peregian product, promising young professional Cooper Eccleston.
“Cooper’s a couple of years older than me and has already completed a traineeship at Victoria Park,” Blake said.
“But our golf game was of a similar level and he’s competing now on the Australasian PGA Tour.”
But, just in case, he’s already considering other alternatives within the golf industry.
“I’ve watched my dad for years and seen what he does,” Blake said.
“I have a pretty sound understanding of the golf swing and one of my backup plans is to become a teaching pro.
“Who knows? Maybe one day I’ll get the chance to work with him.”
Golf administration also appeals, as does leading golf tours around the world.
As a trainee, Blake is required to work 4000 hours in the pro shop, complete 20 on-line assessments each year, and play to an elite level.
He’ll test himself against other trainees in the series of tournaments scheduled for most Mondays around south-east Queensland.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for me and I’m going to make the most of it,” Blake said.
Young gun eyes US
Noosa champ George Giblett is making plans to take his golf game to the United States – something he had considered doing two years ago before Covid intervened.
His goal then was to enrol at a US university, and play the highly competitive college circuit before trying to earn his way onto a tour.
Now, at the age of 20, he thinks college may have passed him by, and his time in the US might be better spent competing in a range of tournaments.
“Let’s just see how it works out,” he said.
“The US trip is definitely on the horizon, but I won’t be going there until about August.”
In the meantime, the talented amateur will continue to play as often as he can against the best opposition he can find.
“What I’m lacking is tournament experience – playing regularly against top golfers,” he said.
There’s little doubt George has the ability to succeed at any level.
Last year, for example, he scored a runaway win in the Noosa club championship, led Noosa to its third straight pennant title, finished third in the Sunshine Coast Amateur Championship at Headland and shot a brilliant 65 – better than any of the professionals – at the Maroochy River Legends pro-am.
And last week he shot a blistering first round 65 in the stroke play section of the NSW Amateur Championship, only to fall away with a disappointing 74 in the second round.
“That’s what I mean about needing more tournament play,” he said.
“I just shot too many bogeys. I struggled with the grass and the ball was flying further than I expected.”
In the end, George narrowly missed out on qualifying for the match play section of the championship.
“Nine of us played off for the last four spots,” he said.
“On the first playoff hole six of the guys had a birdie. I didn’t.”
George plans to make up for lost time over the next couple of months.
He intends to take on the pros at the North Coast Open at Coffs Harbour on 22-23 February, followed by a tilt at the Tweed Coast Open at Coolangatta/Tweed Heads on 25 and 26 February – both qualifying events for the NSW Open.
Alternatively, he might fly south and play in the Tasmanian Open from 24 to 27 February.
Then it’s the Riversdale Cup in Sydney in March, followed by the Australian Amateur at the end of March.
“That’s the plan,” he said, adding that any move to join the professional ranks will have to wait until at least the end of the year.
Ladies first at Noosa Springs
It’s ladies’ dDay at Noosa Springs on Tuesday 22 March – the first of three events for women to showcase their skills on one of Queensland’s finest golf courses.
As usual, the 18-hole stableford competition will be followed by a gourmet champagne lunch and presentations.
The cost, including lunch, is $104 ($49 for Noosa Springs members, $94 for social and reciprocal members).
Ladies who play in two of the three events will be in the running for a half-day spa eEscape and four rounds of golf with an electric cart. The prize will be drawn after the round on 6 December.
Entries are now being taken. Contact the golf shop on 5440 3333, or email golf@noosasprings.com.au to book.
Slow start for Kirk
Sunshine Beach veteran Katherine Kirk began the new season quietly when she missed the cut in the Gainsbridge LPGA tournament in Florida’s Boca Rio at the weekend.
Kirk shot matching rounds of 76 in an event made famous for the return of Australian legend Karrie Webb to tournament play. Webb’s 72 hole total of four-over 292 (71, 72, 75, 74) was better than most expected after such a long absence.
The winner was New Zealand’s Lydia Ko (63, 70, 72, 69), who led throughout to score by a stroke.
Club competitions
NOOSA SPRINGS
Monday 24 January
Men’s 4BBB stableford: P. Foulsham & A. Carter 46, P. Cotton & S. Cotton 45, J. Krimmer & S. McMenamin 44; women’s stableford: Barbara Stott 40, Anne Smith 36c/b, Kate Robertson 36.
Tuesday 25 January
Men’s stableford: Tony Carabetta 40, Steve Troon 38, Ash Holmes 35; women’s: Silvana Phillips 38, Margot McKellar 34, Berenice Holmes 33.
Wednesday 26 January
Men’s stableford: Peter Schouten 41c/b, Jock Robertson 41c/b, Ross Gillies 41; women’s: Sandie Tregaskis 40, Tereza Holley 36, Marlo Douglass 35.
Thursday 27 January
Men’s stableford (black tee): John Taylor 35, John Mulquiney 31c/b, Becker Nguyen 31.
Saturday 29 January
Men’s Monthly Medal, stroke: Jean-Paul Ricca 69, John Chandler 72c/b, John Gavin 72c/b; women’s: Lee-Ann Hay 70, Annette Philp 73c/b, Chrissy Hordern 73.
