SCHOOL NOW WITH GREEN OF ENVY
A TOWNSVILLE school is hoping to churn out some golfing talent after turning a vacant patch of grass into a sporting masterpiece.
Ignatius Park College is now home to a one-hole golfing green after pastoral leader Chris Rigano transformed the 100sq m piece of lawn.
Starting by coring and fertilising the existing grass, Mr Rigano scalped back the turf and added 800kg of sand before laying greenlees couch grass.
Grade 11 student Darcy Keir said he would spend his lunchtimes practising his swing.
“I think it is a good idea. It is a very good sport and it’s something new and everyone loves a game of golf,” he said.
Dozens of schoolboys flock to the golfing green on their lunch break to test their putting skills.
Describing himself as “lawn obsessed”, Mr Rigano said he dreamt about creating “The Green” soon after he started at Iggy Park.
“I have a passion for grass and it was something I had always wanted to do at the college for a while,” he said.
“It gives the kids opportunity to do something different at lunch time and perhaps they can inch forward and look into playing the sport.”
Sourcing the golf clubs from a second hand shop for $2 each, the boys now “chase” Mr Regino to his office to grab clubs and balls.
There have even been calls from some boys for golf to become part of their curriculum.
Mr Rigano said he was thrilled that a forgotten piece of lawn in between two buildings could create such a positive atmosphere with the boys.