Governments back golf club

Horsham Golf Club will use a $179,000 Federal Government grant to continue to develop an environment that encourages more people to make the most of its Horsham South sandbelt course.

The club will use the money to upgrade and improve equipment and infrastructure to increase group participation in golf and generate community pride.

The club has also been successful in gaining a State Government Vichealth Active Club grant of $2000 to establish a schoolgirl golf-training and coaching program during the next 18 months.

Club acting manager Janene Coutts said the federal money came through a Driving Social Inclusion through Sport and Physical Activity program.

“This grant is for a sporting program which targets community groups who will directly benefit from an increase in involvement in sporting and community-based activities,” she said.

“The implementation of this program will allow us to make improvements to the driving range, engage a professional golfer to deliver lessons, continue with computer upgrades, along with the purchase of incidental equipment required to ensure the successful implementation of the program.

“The connection through golf as a sporting activity allows all individuals regardless of gender, ability, disability or ethnicity to experience a welcoming community-based sporting club that offers an acceptance of diversity in an environment of inclusiveness. It will be great for all those involved.”

Ms Coutts said the club was also ‘extremely’ appreciative to receive the Vichealth grant, which would help young girls in the region develop their golf games.

“We look forward to all members enjoying the benefits of the implementation of both these programs and in seeing an increase in community pride and connection with the golf club,” she said.

Golf clubs have experienced a resurgence in interest, with the sport one of the first to emerge from lockdown rules in the region.