Community tees up with great success
A DOSE of community goodwill from Barwon Heads has brought the Vic Open from once being at its knees to an international benchmark.
Thousands have put their hand up to bring a world-class reception to interstate and overseas guests and keep them coming back.
It starts in the carpark, where a landowner opens his gates to visitors, and Barwon Heads Football Netball Club members direct traffic.
Thirteenth Beach Golf Links chairman Glenn Mills said the community embraced the opportunity to be part of something great for the region.
“If you have to identify one ingredient, it’s the goodwill of people. It’s the goodwill of resi- dents to accept there’s going to be a lot of traffic, the goodwill of members to give up their golf course and it’s the goodwill of thousands of volunteers to put their hand up and help from billeting to caddying, to scoring, to filling divots into the night,” Mr Mills said.
It also helps if you have 36 holes, especially hosting 312 players in running men’s and women’s tournaments side-by- side — part of Golf Victoria’s successful formula.
“The rest is history. Over the last two years now it has grown to include the ladies European Tour, now this year the men’s European Tour and the LPGA,” Mr Mills said.
“Because you’ve got a close working relationship, when a challenge arises, you tackle it together and work through and come out the other side.”