GOLF FOR GOOD
THE recent bushfires had a devastating effect on regional areas across Australia. And a Sydney golf club has decided to do its part to help one region get back on its feet via golf, encouraging others to do likewise.
The ‘Golf for Good’ play and stay campaign is the brainchild of Juliet Barr, a member of Marrickville Golf Club in Sydney’s inner-west, who grew up in Narooma on the South Coast of New South Wales.
Barr, also a member of the Shoalhaven Tourism Advisory Board, was inspired by the ‘Empty Esky’ campaign encouraging Australians to visit impacted areas with an empty esky and stock up on local produce to stimulate the local economies. She notes golf and golfers’ ability to do just that ...
“I grew up in Narooma. And I went to primary school overlooking Narooma Golf Club, which I would stare at instead of the spelling on the board,” Barr told Golf Australia. “So growing up there, I know how much golf is an incredible part of these little small towns.
“Golfers are good at spending money to be honest and on the South Coast they really need it, they need the support.”
Marrickville Golf Club kick-started the campaign with a group headed to Mollymook in late March to play the golf course, eat in the local area and stay in local accommodation. And while Barr is the driving force behind her own club’s involvement and the concept, it is one she encourages people take part in of their own accord.
“It isn’t just golf clubs that should be doing this, it is all city clubs,” Barr said in a media release announcing Golf for Good. “Don’t wait for an official announcement to ask your club to help, just do it … just book a mid-week trip or weekend. If you can’t all go at the same time to the same place, don’t worry, go separately, it doesn’t matter as long as you just go … soon! ”
Still owning a property in the golfing haven that is the South Coast, Barr is very aware of the impact the fires have had on the community as a whole and more specifically the golf clubs that were places of refuge and support to their communities during the catastrophic events. After contacting Golf NSW, which is already running programs to support affected clubs, Barr was encouraged to take the project on herself.
Facebook and Instagram accounts have been set up to spread the word of Golf for Good, and with the knowledge of how much money some existing golf events inject into the area, it is easy to understand why Barr is so passionate in creating such a worthwhile concept.
“I know first-hand how tough it is for small businesses on the South Coast right now and I also know that golf events generate big bucks for tourism when they come to the Shoalhaven,” Barr said. “The Senior Masters at Mollymook generated over $1 million to the community. So that is why I want to mobilise city golfers to take a road trip to the South Coast ASAP. Our club wants to help and take their empty eskies too.
“Also many golf clubs on the South Coast
provided shelter during the fires and I think it is time to honour their value to their communities. People were parked on fairways and taking refuge in clubs like Bermagui, Moruya, Narooma, Mollymook and The Country Club at St Georges Basin during the fires.”
Marrickville Golf Club is rightfully proud to lead the way in the initiative, but primarily hopes it serves as an inspiration to others to follow suit and visit an area that is easily accessible and rich in quality golf, food, wine and so much more.
“Golfers like to travel and we want to help communities doing it tough, so our club is organising a trip to play and stay around Mollymook Golf Club. We are leading the way and hope other sports clubs will follow suit,” Marrickville Golf Club President Andrew Tigue said.
To find out more about Golf for Good, visit the social media channels Golf For Good Australia (Facebook) and Golf_For_Good_au (Instagram).